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UNFORGETTABLE PEOPLE & CULTURE • VIBRANT CITIES • ULTIMATE ADVENTURES • EXPERT ITINERARIES 

South Africa 

YOUR 

JOURNEY 

BEGINS 

HERE

USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION: 

POPULATION: 

57 Million 

LANGUAGES: 11 Official 

(including English) 

CURRENCY: South 

African Rand ($1-R13, 

July 2018) 

CREDIT CARDS: All 

major cards accepted 

DRIVING: Valid driver’s 

license accepted 

ELECTRICITY: 220/230 

volts, 50 cycles 

HEALTH: No vaccinations 

required, except for recent 

visitors to Yellow Fever 

Zone countries 

PASSPORT/VISA: 

No visa required for 

US or Canadian passport 

holders 

TIME: Seven hours ahead 

of EST in winter; six hours 

ahead during summer 

West Coast National Park, Cape Town 

OVERVIEW 

Welcome to South Africa 

Discover one of the most beautiful 

and diverse countries on earth 

Page 5 

CONTENTS 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS 

City Lifestyle 

From bustling nightlife to shopping 

experiences, our cities have it all 

Page 41 

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 

South Africa’s Greatest Hits 

Can’t-miss destinations for every traveler 

Page 7 

UNIQUE HERITAGE 

Explore South Africa 

And its eight UNESCO world heritage sites 

Page 11 

UNTOUCHED WILD 

The Call of the Wild 

Going on safari, the experience of a lifetime 

Page 13 

OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND 

Adrenaline Dreams 

Diving with Great Whites, zipping through 

forest canopies, and more 

Page 19 

BUSTLING CITY LIFE 

The Big Three 

Page 27 

A Taste of the Good Life 

A burgeoning wine and culinary scene 

Page 33 

VIBRANT CULTURE 

A Tapestry of Cultural Experiences 

History, language, music — and a 

contagious local spirit 

Page 43 

SUN-SOAKED COASTLINES 

Relax and Recharge 

Beach life in the southern sun 

Page 49 

BREATHTAKING SCENERY 

Wow in Every Direction 

Top 10 scenic attractions 

Page 53 

A World of Romance 

Unique escapades for every couple 

Page 57 

EXPERT ITINERARIES 

Planning the Journey 

Your trip of a lifetime 

Page 59 

Inspiring new ways 

Bloubergstrand, Cape Town 

SOUTHAFRICA.NET | 2

Table Mountain, Cape Town 

WELCOME TO 

SOUTH AFRICA

WELCOME TO 

SOUTH AFRICA 

KEY COORDINATES 

South Africa is almost four times 

the size of Germany and oneeighth 

the size of the United States. 

Two oceans border its 1836-mile 

coast: The Atlantic to the west and 

the Indian Ocean to the east. At 

latitude 35° south, Cape Town is 

about the same distance from the 

equator as Sydney, Australia, or Los 

Angeles, California. 

CLIMATE 

Thanks to the surrounding oceans, 

South Africa enjoys a temperate 

climate, though weather patterns 

and rainfall vary widely. The 

Western Cape has Mediterraneantype 

winter rains brought by 

strong northwesterly winds. Other 

coastal areas experience rainfall 

throughout the year, but 80 percent 

of the country’s rain falls during 

the summer months of October to 

March, often accompanied by hail 

and thunderstorms. Overall, South 

Africa is a dry country with an 

annual rainfall of 18 inches, almost 

half the world average of 34 inches. 

LAY OF THE LAND 

South Africa’s topography ranges 

from majestic mountains and 

highveld grasslands to semi-desert 

scrubland and subtropical wetlands. 

Broadly speaking, the country 

consists of two main regions: a 

huge inland plateau that is fringed 

by a narrow coastal plain on three 

sides. Separating the two is an 

escarpment of mountains and 

hills, dominated by the mighty 

Drakensberg Mountain Range. 

Home to some of the world’s most 

diverse animal and plant kingdoms, 

South Africa is the only country 

with an entire floral kingdom – the 

Cape Fynbos – within its borders. 

HOSPITALITY 

Some 55.6 million people from 

at least 20 ethnic groups live in 

South Africa. Locals take pride in 

hosting visitors and will make you 

feel comfortable no matter how 

long your stay. As you travel across 

the country, you may find yourself 

being welcomed in as many as 11 

official languages, including English, 

which is the most widely spoken 

and used for all road signs. 

ACCOMMODATION 

South Africa’s first-world 

infrastructure includes a wealth of 

five-star hotels and game lodges, 

as well as guesthouses, bed and 

breakfasts, and tented camps for 

nature lovers. Its hospitality industry 

puts a premium on safety standards 

and quality assurance through 

cutting-edge benchmarking and 

tourism grading certification, 

including relevant ISO standards. 

something for everyone. Myriad 

entertainment options and valuefor-money 

experiences make this 

country an exceptionally diverse 

and accessible vacation destination. 

Like to golf? You’ll find world-class 

courses in settings so lush you may 

have to shoo giraffes off the green. 

Enjoy mouthwatering cuisine? 

South African food is an amalgam 

of the best of French, German, 

English, Indian, and African spices 

and techniques. Authentic culture? 

You can visit townships and partake 

in local festivals. No matter how 

you spend your vacation here, 

you will create memories to last a 

lifetime...or at least until you come 

back to visit again. 

Table Mountain, Cape Town’s spectacular natural backdrop 

RECREATION 

Whether it’s an exhilarating game 

drive you’re after or a cosmopolitan 

adventure, or even just some 

quality R&R, South Africa has 

Kruger National Park 

SOARING MOUNTAINS, 

STUNNING COASTLINES 

AND BEACHES, WILDLIFE 

OF EVERY KIND AND A 

HISTORY THAT HARKENS 

BACK TO THE VERY 

DAWN OF HUMANKIND... 

SOUTH AFRICA 

Welcome to South Africa, one of the 

most beautiful and diverse countries 

on earth, and a world-class destination 

for every type of traveler. Choose your 

calling: safari wildlife, active adventure, 

cultural roots, coastal beaches, scenic 

beauty, city lifestyle or all of the above! 

And let your journey begin. 

Map: Albert Mena 


Zulu dancers, 

KwaZulu-Natal 

Ngala Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park 

5 | SOUTHAFRICA.NET SOUTHAFRICA.NET | 6 

Enthusiastic sports fans

BUFFELS 

SOUT RIVER 

WINE 

ROUTE 

BREERIVIER 

DWYKA 

GAMKA 

LEEUW 

HARTS RIVER 

SUNDAYS 

ORANGE 

ORANGE 

MODDER 

CALEDON 

GREAT KEI 

DRAKENSBERG PARK 

STEELPOORT 

BLYDE RIVER 

REGIONAL 

HIGHLIGHTS 

SOUTH AFRICA’S 

GREATEST HITS 

FROM THE SAFARI 

LANDS OF MPUMALANGA 

TO THE FAST-PACED 

BUSTLING CITY LIFE 

OF GAUTENG, EACH 

OF SOUTH AFRICA’S 

NINE PROVINCES IS 

A PARADISE UNTO 

ITSELF. HERE ARE THE 

CAN’T-MISS CLASSICS 

THAT EVERY TRAVELER 

WANTS TO VISIT. 

GAUTENG 

HISTORIC 

LANDMARKS, 

COSMOPOLITAN 

CULTURE 

JOHANNESBURG AND SOWETO 

Johannesburg, the “City of Gold,” 

is the urban heart of South Africa 

as well as the country’s financial 

capital. South west of it lies Soweto 

(South Western Townships), 

where thousands of black South 

Africans famously protested 

against apartheid. Nelson Mandela 

and Archbishop Desmond Tutu 

lived here, and current residents 

include some of the best musicians, 

painters, and poets in the country. 

PRETORIA 

An hour north of Johannesburg, 

South Africa’s capital city of Pretoria 

is marked by historic landmarks 

like the Voortrekker Monument, 

which pays tribute to the early 

Boer pioneers, as well as numerous 

parks and gardens, and the famous 

Union Buildings. 

SOUTH 

AFRICA’S 

NINE 

PROVINCES 

WESTERN CAPE 

10 

SPRINGBOK 

31 

38 

36 19 42 22 

20 

35 

ORANGE RIVER 

CLANWILLIAM 

CAPE TOWN 

33 

40 

HERMANUS 

43 

UPINGTON 

NORTHERN CAPE 

CAPE FLORAL REGION 

WESTERN CAPE 

41 

CAPE ALGULHAS 

(MOST SOUTHERN POINT OF AFRICA) 

GEORGE 

46 

OUDTSHOORN 

MOSSEL BAY 

ORANGE RIVER 

4 

BEAUFORT WEST 

KNYSNA 

11 

GARDEN ROUTE 

14 

13 

DE AAR 

12 

NORTH WEST 

32 

GRAAFF REINET 

KIMBERLEY 

15 

3 

FREE STATE 

BLOEMFONTEIN 

PORT ELIZABETH 

ALIWAL NORTH 

EASTERN CAPE 

8 

2 

CROCODILE RIVER 

RUSTENBURG 

MATLABAS RIVER 

25 

JOHANNESBURG 

VAAL RIVER 

GAUTENG 

POLOKWANE 

17PRETORIA 

29 

LESOTHO 

UMTATA 

EAST LONDON 

FOOD, WINE AND SCENIC BEAUTY 

CAPE TOWN 

As the cosmopolitan hub of the 

Western Cape province, Cape 

Town boasts world-class shopping, 

museums, hotels, and restaurants, 

not to mention a spectacular 

natural setting; it’s no wonder Cape 

Town has been voted the top food 

city in the world by Conde Nast 

Traveller. Where else can you frolic 

with penguins on the beach by day 

The world at your feet on Table Mountain, Cape Town 

MOLOPO 

HARTS RIVER 

VAAL RIVER 

and savor a world-class restaurant 

meal for dinner? 

WINELANDS 

Three of South Africa’s 13 wine 

routes begin just outside Cape 

Town: Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, 

and Paarl. Explore them at 

your own pace, driving through 

picturesque mountains and rolling 

vineyards, dotted with historic 

30 

21 

23 

LIMPOPO RIVER 

VAAL RIVER 

48 

44 

LIMPOPO 

HARRISMITH 

6 

26 

27 

MPUMALANGA 

PIETERMARITZBURG 

NELSPRUIT 

KWAZULU-NATAL 

9 

16 

18 

24 

28 

DURBAN 

40 

45 

39 

PORT SHEPSTONE 

LIMPOPO RIVER 

47 

34 

1 

OLIFANTS RIVER 

Cape Dutch architecture. 

5 

37 

ISIMANGALISO 

ST. LUCIA 

WETLAND 

PARK 

RICHARD’S BAY 

GARDEN ROUTE 

The Garden Route, which runs 

over 500 miles from Cape Town 

to the Eastern Cape beaches of 

Port Elizabeth, is also a wonderfully 

scenic area to explore by car. Pit stop 

number one: Hermanus, where you 

can spot Southern Right whales from 

the shore. 

7 

Trendy Melrose Arch in cosmopolitan Johannesburg 

Mandela statue at the 

Union Buildings, Pretoria 

SOUTHAFRICA.NET | 8

REGIONAL 

HIGHLIGHTS 

REGIONAL 

HIGHLIGHTS 

Take a stroll along The Wild Coast 

KWAZULU-NATAL 

STUNNING BEACHES 

AND SPORTING LANDS 

DURBAN’S GOLDEN MILE 

Zulu, Indian and British cultures come together in Durban, 

the melting-pot city of KwaZulu-Natal. The metropolis 

is also popular for its three-mile stretch of golden sand, 

known locally as the Golden Mile, where you can set down 

your umbrella and while away the hours. Warm and sunny 

320 days a year, Durban’s beaches offer public amenities, 

protective shark nets, beacons to indicate safe bathing, and 

lifeguards on duty for most of the day. 

FREE STATE 

MPUMALANGA 

PARADISE COUNTRY 

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK 

Also known as “Paradise Country,” this province is famous for 

its extraordinary natural wonders. Here you’ll find luxurious 

private game reserves and the great Kruger National Park, one 

of the best safari destinations in the world. 

PANORAMIC ROUTE 

The vast, green Blyde River Canyon is often called a 

“window on the world” for the dramatic views it affords. 

It’s also a stop on Mpumalanga’s Panoramic Route, which 

winds its way among scenic hills and canyons. 

BIRTHPLACE OF 

NELSON MANDELA 

EASTERN CAPE 

WILD COAST 

The Wild Coast stretches 

for roughly 125 miles 

between the coastal towns 

of East London – where 

you’ll find golf, museums, 

shopping, and even a 

private game reserve – and 

Port Edward. Port St. Johns, 

the largest town on the 

route, sits midway, at the 

mouth of the Mzimvubu 

River between steep 

sandstone cliffs and dense 

forests. Because of its 

rugged landscape, road 

access to the Wild Coast 

has remained limited, 

NORTH WEST 

A PLACE 

IN THE 

SUN, AND 

BEYOND 

THE WINDY CITY, 

WILD COAST 

AND THE KAROO 

and the scenery, largely 

undisturbed. 

THE KAROO 

The Karoo is South Africa’s 

largest semi-desert region, 

covering nearly 250 000 

square miles. Home to 

both mountains and 

endless plains, the Karoo 

has maintained its frontier 

spirit while also providing 

peace and tranquility to 

all who visit, which is 

why it’s a favorite retreat 

destination amongst artists 

and writers alike. 


With 500 miles of pristine 

coastline, the Eastern 

Cape has no shortage 

of beaches, lagoons and 

coastal forests. Its principal 

city, the laid-back town 

of Port Elizabeth, has 25 

miles of beach and was 

named for the late wife of 

Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin, 

the Acting Governor of the 

Cape Colony in the early 

1800s. 

SUN CITY 

The North West is best known as the location of 

scintillating Sun City, a world-class resort with an 

opulent casino and family-friendly activities galore. 

Visitors can hit up the man-made beach, wave pool, 

and waterpark in the Lost City, or perfect their swing 

at two 18-hole Gary Player-designed courses. 

PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK 

A short drive from Sun City, you can see the Big Five 

in Pilanesberg National Park. It’s set in the crater of a 

1.2 billion-year-old extinct volcano and is the home of 

an extensive wildlife population, including more than 

300 species of birds. 

ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK 

South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 

wetland reserve contains three major lake systems, eight 

interlinking ecosystems and Africa’s largest estuarine system. 

The name iSimangaliso means “miracle and wonder” which 

aptly describes this unique place. 

UKHAHLAMBA-DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS 

This UNESCO World Heritage site is an outdoor 

wonderland filled with breathtaking hiking trails and 

wildlife. Bearded vultures, black eagles, grey rheboks, 

oribis and elands all make their home here. Mountain 

bikers can enjoy the awesome views of the Drakensberg 

as they traverse Cathedral Peak Mountain or the beautiful 

Lotheni Valley in the Southern Drakensberg. Fishing 

enthusiasts can take in mountain vistas while casting for 

trout at Kamberg Nature Reserve. 

Riding the waves in Durban 

Main Road, Clarens 

COLONIAL 

ARTIFACTS 

& CLIFFS 

OF GOLD 

BLOEMFONTEIN 

South Africa’s judicial capital 

offers a unique glimpse 

of the past. Visit President 

Brand Street, a re-creation 

of the early Boer town, and 

Freshford House Museum, 

filled with charming 

colonial Victoriana. Several 

museums display haunting 

Anglo-Boer War artifacts. 

CLARENS 

Surrounded by sandstone 

cliffs, this beautiful town just 

west of the Maluti Mountain 

Range has become an artists’ 

community and is filled with 

studios, bars and restaurants. 

GOLDEN GATE 

HIGHLANDS 

NATIONAL PARK 

South Africa’s only grasslands 

national park, this reserve is 

famed for its golden-hued 

sandstone sentinels, and 

offers nature lovers unusual 

outdoor pursuits on foot, 

bike and horseback. 

A close encounter 

LIMPOPO 

PRIMEVAL 

TREASURES 

WATERBERG 

BIOSPHERE 

Formerly called the 

Northern Province, 

Limpopo is an 

unspoiled ancient 

landscape of verdant 

forests, sparkling trout 

waters, and game 

reserves. Among its top 

natural attractions is the 

Waterberg Biosphere 

– named a Biosphere 

Reserve by UNESCO – 

whose rolling savannahs 

feature a mix of rock 

formations, thousandsyear-old 

Bushman art, 

and abundant plains to 

support a diverse array 

of fauna and flora. 

KRUGER NATIONAL 

PARK 

As South Africa’s 

northernmost province, 

Limpopo contains 

the upper portion 

of the world-famous 

Kruger National Park. 

The ultimate safari 

destination, Kruger 

is home to a huge 

variety of mammals, 

amphibians, reptiles 

and birds. It is the oldest 

national park on the 

continent and one of 

the top ten national 

parks in the world. 


NORTHERN CAPE 

Namaqua National Park, Namaqualand 

DIAMONDS IN THE 

ROUGH & FLOWERS 

KALAHARI DESERT 

Along the northern reaches of South Africa’s largest 

province, the largest park on the continent awaits. Kgalagadi 

Transfrontier National Park spans the Kalahari from South 

Africa to Botswana and harbors exotic wildlife and the last 

remaining bushmen, the San. 

KIMBERLEY 

Shop for jewelry and tour diamond mines in this historic 

mining town – and don’t miss The Big Hole. At 1640-feet 

wide by 787-feet deep, it’s the world’s largest man-made 

hole, and the source of 14.5 million carats of diamonds. 

NAMAQUALAND FLOWERS 

Witness the annual transformation of the semi-desert 

Namaqualand into an explosion of color, as millions of 

flowers change the landscape into a true wonder of nature 

from July through to September. 

9| SOUTHAFRICA.NET SOUTHAFRICA.NET | 10


UNIQUE HERITAGE 

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO FIND AT EACH: 

St Lucia 

1. FOSSIL HOMINID SITES 

Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, 

Kromdraai and their environs 

are considered to be the Cradle 

of Humankind, with evidence of 

some of the earliest ancestors of 

the human race. 

2. MAPUNGUBWE 

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE 

Conserves the ruins of the largest 

Iron Age Kingdom to have existed 

on the African subcontinent. 

5. UKHAHLAMBA- 

DRAKENSBERG PARK 

South Africa’s highest mountain 

range has a diverse habitat 

harboring threatened plant and 

bird species, and a concentration 

of historic rock art paintings. 

6. 

RICHTERSVELD CULTURAL 

& BOTANICAL LANDSCAPE 

A remarkable mountainous 

desert that is uniquely owned 

and managed by the Nama 

communities. 

3. VREDEFORT DOME 

The oldest (two million years) and 

largest clearly visible meteorite 

impact site in the world. 

7. 

CAPE FLORAL REGION 

PROTECTED AREAS 

Home to an astounding diversity 

of floral species that occur 

nowhere else on the planet. 

Robben Island, Cape Town 

Vredefort Dome, 

4. ROBBEN ISLAND 

Once a symbol of oppression, 

where Nelson Mandela and other 

anti-apartheid activists were 

imprisoned, and now a symbol of 

hope. 

8. ISIMANGALISO 

WETLAND PARK 

One of Africa’s largest estuary 

systems, with exceptional 

biodiversity and more than 520 

bird species. 

A UNIQUE 

HERITAGE 

SOUTH AFRICA HAS 

NO FEWER THAN 

EIGHT UNESCO WORLD 

HERITAGE SITES. 

Richtersveld 

Richtersveld 

Ngala Safari Lodge, 


Namaqua National Park, Namaqualand 

11 | SOUTHAFRICA.NET 

SOUTHAFRICA.NET | 12

UNTOUCHED 

WILD 

GOING ON SAFARI 

IS DEFINITELY THE 

EXPERIENCE OF A 

LIFETIME. AND IN SOUTH 

AFRICA, THERE ARE 

A VARIETY OF GAME- 

VIEWING OPTIONS – ON 

FOOT OR BY VEHICLE. 

No matter which you choose, the memories of 

life in the bush will stay with you forever. 

THE LITTLE FIVE 

Keep an eye out for these 

much smaller — though 

no less fascinating — 

namesakes of the Big Five: 

LION ANT 

Not a member of the feline 

family but a large insect 

resembling a dragonfly. 

LEOPARD TORTOISE 

Their attractively marked shells 

can reach up to two feet in 

diameter. 

BUFFALO WEAVER 

A fairly large (about nine inches), 

stout, sparrow-like bird. 

ELEPHANT SHREW 

A small insect-eating rodent 

with a long nose. 

RHINOCEROS BEETLE 

Among the largest of their kind, 

they can carry up to 850 times 

their own weight. 

FOLLOW THE 

CALL OF THE 

WILD 

SOUTHAFRICA.NET | 14 

An elephant sighting up close

UNTOUCHED 

WILD 

YOUR WAKE-UP CALL 

COMES HOURS BEFORE 

SUNRISE SO THAT YOU 

CAN TRACK LEOPARDS, 

LIONS AND OTHER 

NOCTURNAL HUNTERS 

BEFORE THE HEAT OF 

DAY KICKS IN. 

After a quick cup of coffee, you 

embark on a three-to-fourhour 

game drive with your 

knowledgeable ranger and tracker 

– and the sightings begin. 


Meerkats pose for the camera 

You spot not just one elephant, 

but a dozen – from a playful baby 

to a two-story bull – and a regal 

gemsbok, with its slender, scimitarlike 

horns that may have inspired 

tales of the fabled unicorn. The roar 

of a male lion, a few yards from 

the safari vehicle, leaves you nearly 

breathless. 

Return to camp for a fresh cooked 

breakfast, followed by a nature 

walk with a ranger. After lunch, 

take a nap at the height of the 

midday heat or go for a swim. Then, 

following afternoon tea, you’re 

off on an evening safari drive that 

includes a stop for a sundowner, or 

a cocktail, to pass the sunset. 

Back at your lodge or campsite, 

enjoy dinner under the southern 

constellations, a completely 

different array of stars from what 

you see at home. Then it’s off to 

bed and dreams of the wildlife that 

you’ll encounter tomorrow. 

Kruger National Park, Photo: Laura Pedrick, 

www.pedrickphoto.com 

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE 

The best-known safari destination 

in South Africa is the Kruger 

National Park. Located in the northeast 

corner of the country along 

the border with Mozambique, this 

remarkable conservation area spans 

the provinces of Mpumalanga and 

Limpopo, with more than 7500 

square miles of land and 16 distinct 

natural regions. The southern end 

of the park, which has the most 

developed tourism facilities, is the 

most visited. 

The Kruger is a renowned location 

for Big Five viewing; lion, leopard, 

elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros 

can all be found here. In addition, 

you can spot giraffes, zebras, 

antelopes, wildebeests, and almost 

as many types of birds as there are 

stars in the southern hemisphere’s 

skies. Elephant-back safaris are 

offered at the park, as well as 

the more traditional walking and 

driving safaris. Accommodation 

ranges from basic campsites to 

luxury safari lodges, with prices to 

suit every budget. 

DID YOU 

KNOW? 

KRUGER 

NATIONAL PARK 

IS ROUGHLY 

THE SIZE OF THE 

STATE OF 

NEW JERSEY. 

SOUTH AFRICA’S NATIONAL PARKS 


FOR A FULL LIST OF NATIONAL PARKS, VISIT WWW.SANPARKS.ORG 

THE KRUGER ISN’T 


ONLY WILDLIFE 

HOTSPOT. 

Across the country you’ll find 

a range of distinctive parks 

and reserves, including: 

MADIKWE GAME RESERVE 

Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, as well as 

white and black rhinos call this reserve home. It 

sits in the northern reaches of the North West 

province, on the border with Botswana. 

KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK 

Located in Northern Cape’s shimmering 

Kalahari Desert and operated in conjunction 

with Botswana, this is the largest park in Africa. 

The border is unfenced, and wildlife including 

black-maned Kalahari lions, gemsboks, meerkats 

and elephants search for water along the same 

riverbeds as their ancestors have for centuries. 

PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK 

Set in an ancient volcanic crater in the North 

West province, and just a two-hour drive from 

Johannesburg, this park’s dramatic landscape 

of rocky outcrops and thick bush supports a 

wide variety of plants and animals, including 

the Big Five. 

HLUHLUWE-UMFOLOZI GAME RESERVE 

KwaZulu-Natal province’s prized game reserve 

is one of the most popular destinations in all of 

Africa for walking safaris (traditional safaris are also 

available). Though only one-fifth the size of the 

Kruger, it has a remarkable population of wildlife, 

including the Big Five. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is also 

known worldwide for its conservation efforts – its 

staff is almost single-handedly responsible for 

saving the white rhino from extinction. 

ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK 

This reserve, 45 miles outside of Port Elizabeth, 

in the Eastern Cape, has 300 elephants, plus 

prime viewing opportunities and a range of 

accommodation. Visitors might also spot some 

180 bird species. 

GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK 

Located in the Free State near the Lesotho 

border, the park’s most notable features are its 

golden, ochre, and orange-hued, deeply-eroded 

sandstone cliffs and outcrops. Numerous caves 

and shelters display ancient San rock paintings, 

while zebra, eland and over 100 bird species can 

be found. 



UNTOUCHED 

WILD 

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU 

PLAN YOUR SAFARI 

PUBLIC PARK OR PRIVATE RESERVE? 

YOU CAN GO ON SAFARI IN A 

NATIONAL PARK OR PRIVATE RESERVE — 

NEITHER WILL DISAPPOINT. HERE ARE SOME 

KEY DIFFERENCES: 

NATIONAL PARKS 

Key wildlife or areas of 

great natural value 

Less luxury 

accommodation 

options 

Larger lodges, less 

expensive 

Great for self drives 

PRIVATE RESERVES 

Most freedom of 

activity and least 

amount of tourists 

Off-road driving, 

night drives 

Walking safaris 

Luxury 

accommodation 

BREAKING DOWN THE COST 

Different species mingle on the plain 

IN SOUTH AFRICA, THERE’S A SAFARI FOR 

EVERY BUDGET. HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT: 

Every hippo likes a good soak 

Safaris are all inclusive 

i.e. all game-viewing 

activities, meals, and in 

many cases drinks, are 

included. 

Tips are excluded. 

Rates are priced as per 

person, per night. 

Expect to pay 

anywhere from $250 

to $1200 per person 

for a four- or five-star 

private lodge. 

Typical stay is for three 

nights, which means 

guests are getting a 

total of six game drives. 

Northern Kruger Park has begun 

drawing in-the-know safari lovers. 

Here, in the shrubby mopane veld, 

sand forest and dense tropical 

forests, you’ll find great herds of 

elephants and buffaloes, plus rare 

antelope species. Because there 

are far fewer lodges, and safari 

vehicles are relatively new to the 

area, the animals here are a bit 

more reclusive than in the southern 

part of the park. However, the more 

intense the search for animals, the 

greater the payoff: a rare close-up 

view of the Big Five and other 

fascinating wildlife awaits. 

PRIVATE RESERVES 

If you’re prepared to spend a little 

(or a lot) more, South Africa also has 

many private game reserves and 

upscale lodges. These conservation 

areas offer a higher level of luxury 

and unparalleled guided bush 

experiences while remaining 

committed to conservation and 

community. Sabi Sand Game 

Reserve, for one, provides high-end 

accommodation along Kruger’s 

south-west border. Though it is 

private, few fences separate the 

reserve from the Kruger, meaning 

that animals traverse the border 

freely. Other private game reserves 

are located within Balule, Timbavati, 

Thornybush, Kapama, Shamwari, 

Waterberg, Cederberg, and 

Pilanesberg National Park. 

Scanning the horizon for wildlife 

Up close with the wild 

WALKING SAFARIS 

Seeing big animals from the security of a safari 

vehicle is thrilling, but it is nothing compared to 

standing on your own two feet, deep in the bush, 

and getting a close-up view of a black rhino 

(or an elephant, giraffe, zebra, impala – you get 

the picture!). All walking safaris in South Africa 

are undertaken under the direct supervision of 

armed rangers and trackers. The most popular 

areas for wilderness trails are the game parks of 

KwaZulu-Natal and the Kruger National Park. 


Five-star elegance meets contemporary African 

design in the heart of the bush

OUTDOOR 

PLAYGROUND 

FIND YOUR 

PERFECT 

ADVENTURE 

Horse riding on the beach 

Exploring the mighty Kalahari Desert on ATVs 

BEYOND THE SAFARIS, SOUTH AFRICA 

OFFERS ADVENTURES IN ALL SHAPES 

AND SIZES, GUARANTEED TO GET 

YOUR HEART PUMPING OR AT LEAST 

BEATING A LITTLE FASTER, DEPENDING 

ON YOUR PREFERENCE. 

Zip lining in the Karkloof canopies, Howick 

From short coastal walks and township 

cycle tours all the way to shark-cage 

diving, bungee jumping or rappelling; 

with year-round sunny weather you 

can enjoy them at just about anytime. 


Wilson’s Wharf, Durban 


Here are the top ways to get moving. 

WELCOME TO 

SOUTH AFRICA 

SHARK-CAGE DIVING 

South Africa is without question 

one of the best destinations in 

the world for cage diving with 

Great Whites. No scuba training 

or experience is necessary and the 

operator provides all equipment, 

including wetsuits and masks. 

You’ll watch the sharks glide 

past your cage again and again, 

occasionally bumping it as they 

swim (rest assured the sturdy 

cages are tethered to the sides of 

the boat and never float free). The 

Western Cape province is home to 

the three most popular locations 

for Great White cage diving: False 

Bay, about 30 minutes from Cape 

Town; Seal Island, in Mossel Bay; 

and Shark Alley, the channel that 

runs between the Dyer Island 

seal colony and the mainland at 

Gansbaai (near Hermanus). 

QUAD CRUISING 

Year-round sunshine, jaw-dropping 

scenery, and a rich diversity of 

terrain make South Africa the 

perfect playground for quad-biking 

enthusiasts. There are trails in all 

nine provinces (more than 60 in 

total) and many destinations offer 

quad bikes for rent along with 

helmets. You can ride in wildlife 

reserves, through the winelands, 

along the coast, up mountains and 

past waterfalls – the possibilities are 

almost endless. 

SANDBOARDING 

It’s just like it sounds: slide your 

feet into a sandboard (a modified 

snowboard) and glide (or slide on 

your bum) down steep sand-filled 

dunes. Sandboarding has become 

a major sport in some parts of 

South Africa, and is extremely 

popular near Cape Town and in the 

Eastern Cape. The equipment and 

techniques are similar to those of 

snowboarding, making it a fun (and 

warm) way to learn the sport – not 

to mention a good time in its own 

right. Betty’s Bay, about an hour’s 

drive from Cape Town, is a popular 

sandboarding venue and a great 

area for whale watching, surfing, 

diving, and hiking too. 

CANOEING 

Like to paddle? South Africa has no 

shortage of spectacular rivers and 

lakes. Here is just a small sampling: 

• The Orange River snakes its way 

through majestic mountains 

and into the Atlantic Ocean at 

Alexander Bay, on the border with 

Namibia. 

• The Vaal River, a tributary of 

the Orange River not far from 

Johannesburg, has gentle rapids, 

making it a good choice for those 

who prefer a more laidback ride. 

• The Palmiet River in the Western 

Cape runs through the Kogelberg 

Nature Reserve and has fantastic 

rapids and scenery. 

• The Kosi Bay lake system is a 

beautiful and biologically unique 

region of KwaZulu-Natal – and 

you can explore it with a guide. 

• The Blyde River in Mpumalanga is 

one of the most exquisite rivers in 

South Africa. It has a challenging 

section with a steep gradient, as 

well as a tamer stretch for more 

leisurely paddling. 

SURFING 

There are dozens of prime surfing 

spots within an hour’s drive of 

Cape Town and along Durban’s 

famous “Golden Mile” stretch of 

beaches. Dedicated surfers should 

try the excellent “supertube” waves 

at Jeffreys Bay or head to Cape 

St. Francis, where the makers 

of the cult surfing film, Endless 

Summer, found “the perfect wave.” 

Hartbeespoort Dam, a half-hour 

drive from Johannesburg, is a 

popular weekend spot for inland 

watersports lovers with all kinds of 

sailing and boating options, even 

for those looking for a more relaxed 

experience. 

BUNGEE JUMPING 

The 591ft Bloukrans Bridge, a stop 

on the scenic Garden Route, is the 

highest commercial bridge bungee 

jump in the world. You’d be hard 

pressed to find a bigger adrenaline 

rush than this – seven seconds of 

freefall into a gaping gorge. 

WATCH THIS! 

SCAN TO WATCH 

A CLASSIC 

SOUTH AFRICAN 

ADVENTURE – 

BUNGEE JUMPING! 

WATCH THIS! 

SCAN TO WATCH 

A CLASSIC 

SOUTH AFRICAN 

ADVENTURE – 

SHARK-CAGE 

DIVING! 

Coming eye to eye with a Great White shark in Gansbaai 

Surfing at KwaZulu-Natal’s coastline 


SOUTHAFRICA.NET | 22 

Bungee jumping over the Storms River

OUTDOOR 

PLAYGROUND 

RAPPELLING 

Known to South Africans as 

abseiling, this extreme sport is 

popular in many areas of South 

Africa. Only the most experienced 

rappellers will be up for the 

challenge at Graskop Gorge in 

Mpumalanga, the world’s highest 

cable gorge swing with a 220-foot 

freefall. It’s similar to a bungee 

jump, except that you are strapped 

to a sitting harness and reach 

100mph in 2.3 seconds. 

ZIP LINING 

The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour on 

the Garden Route ranks among the 

most sophisticated experiences 

of its kind in the world. On this 

fully-escorted trek, you’ll don a 

state-of-the-art full-body harness 

and glide from one tree platform 

to the next – all the while taking 

in incredible views of the Eastern 

Cape’s Tsitsikamma Forest and 

its diverse wildlife. The total trip 

consists of eight platforms and nine 

cable slides (the longest of which is 

over 260ft) and takes about three 

hours to complete. Not bad for a 

journey of a lifetime. 

HOT AIR BALLOONING 

Nothing beats the experience 

of floating above the African 

bushveld in a hot air balloon. 

There are two excellent operations 

in the Magaliesburg and 

Crocodile River Valley areas near 

Johannesburg. Escape the city 

before dawn and watch the sun 

rise from high up as you toast the 

new day with a sip of sparkling 

wine. You can also enjoy a 

game-viewing flight at Pilanesberg, 

near Sun City, or a scenic flight at 

Hazyview, in Mpumalanga. During 

the summer (December through 

February), you can also fly over 

the beautiful Paarl vineyards, near 

Cape Town. 

MICROLIGHTING 

Gliding over majestic mountains, 

soaring above stunning scenery – 

microlighting provides a thrilling 

way to view wildlife in their natural 

habitat. Your ride is a two-person 

mini aircraft and there are qualified 

pilots and instructors in just about 

every province of South Africa. 

Though not for the faint hearted, 

this increasingly popular adventure 

is more than rewarding. 

MOUNTAIN BIKING 

South Africa has no shortage of 

mountain biking routes for you 

to tackle. The Western Cape is 

full of captivating routes through 

vineyards or mountains, or both. 

But these routes aren’t reserved 

for the Western Cape; the Eastern 

Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng 

all offer superb mountain biking 

trails and challenges. 

There are also competitive 

mountain biking events like the 

Freedom Challenge that takes you 

through dramatic mountain passes 

to the ocean and the eight-day 

Cape Epic that has been described 

by Bart Brentjens, the 1996 Olympic 

gold medallist in mountain biking, 

as the “Tour de France of mountain 

biking”. Then there are races that 

start inland and end at the ocean 

like the Sani2C, a three-day race 

that starts in the Sani Pass and ends 

in KwaZulu-Natal. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

ON THESE AND OTHER 

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES, 

VISIT SOUTHAFRICA.NET 

Canoeing at Storms River Mouth, Tsitsikamma 

Hot air balooning over the Pilanesberg 

Hiking in the Cederberg Conservancy 

A CHANGE OF PACE 

HIKING AND WALKING 

You don’t need any special skills to 

experience South Africa’s many excellent, 

scenic trails — just two sturdy legs and a 

good pair of hiking boots. 

THE HOERIKWAGGO TRAIL: This trail spans the entire 

Table Mountain Range, from the city to Cape Point – and a 

multitude of habitats. Take a two- to five-day, easy-paced hike 

(you’ll overnight in huts) and keep an eye out for baboons, 

tortoises, antelopes, ostrich and the rare sugarbird. 

THE CEDERBERG MOUNTAINS: Only two and a 

half hours from Cape Town, the ancient walking trails of the 

Cederberg Mountains will take you through fynbos, past rock 

formations, and over clear mountain streams. It’s best to visit in 

spring or autumn, when wildflowers transform the land. 

THE RICHTERSVELD TRANSFRONTIER PARK: 

Shared by the Northern Cape and Namibia, this 618-square-mile 

transfrontier national park is a dramatic stretch of mountain 

desert wilderness. You’ll find some of the highest sand dunes in 

the world here, as well as antelope, zebra, big cats, raptors and 

the world’s largest range of succulent plants. In the cool season, 

five-day hiking trails are open. Visitor numbers are limited as the 

ecosystem is fragile. 

23 | SOUTHAFRICA.NET

TOP COURSES 

PECANWOOD GOLF 

& COUNTRY CLUB, 

HARTBEESPOORT 

DAM, NORTH WEST: 

Designed by Jack 

Nicklaus, the course 

also boasts the most 

bunkers of any in 

South Africa. 

ROYAL CAPE GOLF 

CLUB, CAPE TOWN: 

This course has 

hosted the South 

African Open no less 

than 11 times. 

ROYAL 

JOHANNESBURG & 

KENSINGTON GOLF 

CLUB, GAUTENG: 

With two prestigious, 

scenic 18-hole 

courses, the club 

has hosted several 

South African Open 

Championships. 

PEZULA 

CHAMPIONSHIP 

GOLF COURSE, 

WESTERN CAPE: 

This 18-hole course, 

with views of both 

the Knysna Lagoon 

and Indian Ocean, 

is designed to 

include a full range 

of shots, making 

it a rewarding golf 

experience for 

players of all levels. 

HERMANUS 

GOLF COURSE, 

WESTERN CAPE: 

Whales can be 

seen off the coast 

between July and 

November, while 

a resident troop of 

baboons regularly 

romp across the flat 

fairways. 

HUMEWOOD 

GOLF CLUB, 

PORT ELIZABETH, 

EASTERN CAPE: 

Consistently ranked 

in South Africa’s 

top 10 for the past 

several years. 

SELBORNE GOLF 

CLUB, KWAZULU- 

NATAL: The South 

African equivalent 

of America’s famed 

Augusta course, 

water features come 

in to play on just 

about every hole. 

WILD COAST SUN 

COUNTRY CLUB, 

NEAR DURBAN, 

KWAZULU-NATAL: 

The dramatic coastal 

setting has been 

used to maximum 

effect by golf 

architect Robert 

Trent Jones. 

WATCH THIS! 

THE MOST 

UNUSUAL 19TH 

HOLE IN THE 

WORLD? WATCH 

THIS VIDEO 

TO FIND OUT: 

TEE-OFF IN STYLE 

Pezula Resort Hotel, in Knysna 

Golf has been popular in South Africa ever 

since its first course was founded in 1885. 

Today, world-class facilities can be found in 

all nine provinces, and golf giants such as 

Tiger Woods come to play them. Blessed 

with great weather and gorgeous natural 

locations, South Africa is also the birthplace 

of golf greats of its own, including Ernie Els, 

Retief Goosen, and Masters winners, Trevor 

Immelman (2008) and Charl Schwartzel 

(2011). Gary Player, South Africa’s first golf 

superstar, is one of only five golfers to win a 

“career Grand Slam.” 

STAR DESIGNER 

Gary Player has lent his 

considerable design talent 

to many of South Africa’s 

premier golf courses. Here are 

some of his greatest works: 

FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT 

THE THRILL 

SEEKER 

My journey took me on an adventure beyond 

my wildest expectations, where I discovered 

a contrasting beauty, both rustic and refined, 

that I never imagined existed in one place. I 

experienced gorgeous coastal beaches, lush 

forests, and vibrant metropolises. 

I tried surfing for the first time in Durban’s 

Indian Ocean and gazed upon whales 

breaching just offshore in Hermanus. I soared 

through the treetops with exotic birds on 

a zip line canopy tour and had a black-tie 

breakfast with penguins on Boulders Beach. 

Later, I got up close and personal with one 

of the most revered predators in the world 

while cage diving with Great White sharks. 

Then, for the ultimate adrenaline rush, I 

took a literal “leap of faith” from the highest 

commercial bungee jump in the world at 

Bloukrans Bridge. 

South Africa was even an adventure for 

my taste buds. A trip to Groot Constantia, 

one of the oldest wine estates in the world, 

gave me the opportunity to try Napoleon’s 

favorite wine. Along the vibrant Long Street 

in the heart of Cape Town, I sampled local 

delicacies – ostrich, springbok and crocodile 

– and was introduced to the music of seven 

young men from the nearby Gugulethu 

Township; their pride and passion was 

inspiring and my heart was touched when 

they invited me to sing and dance along 

with them. 

I believe no trip to South Africa would 

be complete without the quintessential 

safari experience. This was perhaps my 

most highly anticipated stop on the 

trip, and seeing my first pride of lions in 

the KwaZulu-Natal province gave me a 

profound sense of their power and grace. 

The warmth and generosity of all those I 

encountered will remain one of the most 

enduring memories of my visit to South 

Africa – and the endless possibilities for 

further discovery left me eager to return. 

Gary Player Country Club, Sun City 

Gary Player Country Club, Sun City 

• The acclaimed Gary Player Country Club at 

Sun City, home of the annual Million Dollar 

Golf Challenge. 

• Two 18-hole championship golf courses at 

Fancourt Hotel & Country Club in the 

Western Cape. 

• Leopard Creek Golf Course near Malelane 

in Mpumalanga, with magnificent views of the 

surrounding bush and plenty of stray wildlife 

wandering around. Don’t be surprised if you 

find a hippo in the water! 

YVES, AN ADVENTURE 

ENTHUSIAST FROM NEW 

YORK, DOES IT ALL — AND 

THEN SOME. 


BUSTLING 

CITY LIFE 

BUSTLING 

CITY LIFE 

FEEL THE 

PULSE 

THIS IS WHERE 

BUSINESS 

HUBS, BUZZING 

EATERIES 

AND THE 

UNCONTAINABLE 

ENERGY OF 

THE NIGHTLIFE 

SCENES ALL 

FORM THE 

FABRIC OF CITY 

LIFESTYLES. 

Here, people can enjoy the quiet of suburban 

bliss, authentic township flavor and the 

beating heart of the country. Joburg’s revived 

Maboneng Precinct is just one example 

of where art, culture, young and old come 

together in an exciting space to share 

food, drinks and good times. This unique 

atmosphere can be experienced in any of our 

trendy informal markets around the country 

including the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape 

Town, and the Durban Food Market. 

When the sun goes down, the lights glow 

not only to make the night sky beautiful, but 

to invite every neighborhood to a dance off. 

Whether dancing to celebrate a momentous 

event or taking to the streets during a musiccharged 

revolution, urban-dwellers are both 

the party throwers and goers. From the 

jazzy nights of 1970s Sophiatown to today’s 

downtown hip hop culture, South Africans 

have been dancing for decades and show no 

signs of stopping. 

OF SOUTH AFRICA 

WELCOME TO THE URBAN SOUTH 

AFRICAN’S PLAYGROUND – THE CITY. 

Jazz Club, Johannesburg 



BUSTLING 

CITY LIFE 

TABLE MOUNTAIN 

This landmark mountain has 

been voted one of the world’s 

New7Wonders of Nature for its 

startling beauty, both from below 

and ontop, and for being a haven 

to a rich variety of animals and 

plant life. Offering a glorious and 

panoramic view of the entire city, 

this famous flat-topped mountain 

is synonymous with the Cape 

of Storms. It presides over Cape 

Town’s history, and the stories of 

the city are etched into its form. 

ROBBEN ISLAND 

A 40-minute ferry ride from shore, 

the once isolated Alcatraz of South 

Africa’s political prisoners (including 

Nelson Mandela) now boasts a 

museum and nature reserve. 

THE VICTORIA & ALFRED (V&A) 

WATERFRONT 

With its magnificent harbor, 

beautifully maintained historical 

buildings and upmarket dining and 

shopping options, it is little wonder 

that the V&A Waterfront is one of 

the city’s favorite haunts. 

BO-KAAP 

It may be one of the most 

phographed areas of the Mother 

City but brightly painted houses 

and quaint cobbled streets aren’t 

the only reasons to visit the Bo- 

Kaap – this part of Cape Town is 

packed full of history and culture. 

CAPE POINT 

Cape Point is said to be the 

southern tip of Africa but in reality 

the southernmost point is Cape 

Agulhas. But this doesn’t detract 

from Cape Point’s dramatic views 

of the ocean and a nature reserve 

that boasts a rich diversity of 

animals and plants – it’s an ideal 

place to see the Cape Floral 

Kingdom (the smallest of earth’s 

biomes). 

CHAPMAN’S PEAK 

Said to be one of the world’s most 

scenic drives, this spectacular drive 

winds around the Cape Peninsula 

on the Atlantic Ocean side. Looking 

down to the ocean as you glide 

along the cliff-perched road, you 

might very well see a whale or two 

depending on the season. It opened 

in 1922 and winds for approximately 

six miles, linking the villages of Hout 

Bay and Noordhoek. 

View from Chapmans 

Peak, Cape Town 

1. 

ICONIC 

CAPE TOWN 

As South 

Africa’s oldest 

city, Cape Town 

carries the 

distinguished 

title of the 

Mother City. 

Some would 

say that, with 

her rugged 

beauty, she 

is indeed the 

mother all of 

cities. 

Skyline, Durban 

THE BIG THREE 

GREEN MARKET SQUARE 

A cosmopolitan melting pot in the 

heart of the city – complete with 

Rastafarians, djembe drums, and 

curios from across the continent – 

this is one market you don’t want 

to miss. 

BOULDERS BEACH 

Home to a colony of endangered 

African penguins, Boulders Beach – 

situated just outside historic Simon’s 

Town – is a popular destination for 

locals and visitors alike. 

Penguins on Boulders Beach, Cape Town 

SOUTH AFRICA’S ICONIC CITIES 

ARE DESTINATIONS IN THEIR OWN 

RIGHT AND THERE IS PLENTY TO 

EXPLORE IN ALL OF THEM. 

Durban skyline 

Hike up Table Mountain, Cape Town 

SOUTH 

ATLANTIC 

OCEAN 

CAPE 

TOWN 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

INDIA 

OCEA 


WELCOME TO 

SOUTH AFRICA 

WELCOME TO 

SOUTH AFRICA 

SOUTH 

ATLANTIC 

OCEAN 

2. 

ENERGETIC 

JOHANNES- 

BURG 

The City of Gold 

is the hub of 

entertainment 

and commerce in 

South Africa and, 

as Jozi residents 

will tell you, this 

place rocks! 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

JOHANNESBURG 

Apartheid Museum, Ormonde 

INDIAN 

OCEAN 

MABONENG 

This is the perfect place to 

immerse yourself in the rich 

diversity and energy of Joburg 

culture. The Maboneng Precinct 

is packed with buzzing places 

to socialise, have a bite to eat, 

or soak in some Joburg culture. 

Shop at one of the local designer 

boutiques, have a sundowner 

at a rooftop bar while enjoying 

the skyline and then watch an 

acclaimed local film or play. 

SANDTON 

Sandton is Joburg’s financial hub 

where you’ll find glitzy nightclubs 

and cocktail bars, upmarket 

restaurants and bistros as well as a 

huge selection of designer shops. 

MARKET THEATRE 

Known as South Africa’s “Theatre 

of the Struggle,” the Market Theatre 

is renowned for its anti-apartheid 

plays, and is a cultural complex 

for theatre, music, dance and the 

allied arts. 

ART DISTRICT 

The Johannesburg Art Gallery is the 

biggest, and oldest, art gallery on 

the African continent and boasts 

an incredible collection of artwork, 

ranging from sculpture and 

multimedia displays to paintings, 

etchings and photography. 

Rosebank is fast emerging as 

another art district, with an 

ever-growing number of galleries 

and studios popping up. Visit the 

Goodman Gallery, Circa Gallery 

and David Krut Projects, amongst 

others, and be mesmerized by the 

wealth of creative talent South 

Africa has to offer. 

APARTHEID MUSEUM 

Johannesburg’s Apartheid 

Museum is a venture into the 

past, designed to give a personal 

experience of a time when a 

person’s entire life was based on 

the color of his or her skin. 

NEIGHBOURGOODS MARKET 

AND BRAAMFONTEIN 

Immerse yourself in the Saturday 

morning buzz of Braamfontein and 

the Neighbourgoods Market. It’s 

all about craft and local produce 

here with a huge selection of 

delicous local food and drink. 

Then there’s local designer clothing, 

jewelry and vintage finds. Enjoy 

all this while sitting in the sun on 

the rooftop and watching Joburg 

culture pass by. 

Budding fans in the making 

GAUTRAIN 

The high-speed Gautrain is Africa’s 

first world-class, high-speed train 

system linking Johannesburg, 

Pretoria, the airport and beyond. 

GOLD REEF CITY 

Widely recognized as one of 

the premier theme parks in the 

country, Johannesburg’s Gold Reef 

City Theme Park offers fun for the 

entire family. 

SOWETO 

Just south of Joburg lies Soweto, 

the largest township in South 

Africa, and the heart of the 

struggle against apartheid. Cycling 

tours are a great way for first-time 

visitors to immerse themselves in 

this vibrant region. Visit the vibey 

Vilakazi Street that was once home 

to two Nobel Peace Price Winners, 

Nelson Mandela and Archbishop 

Desmond Tutu, and make sure you 

visit Nelson Mandela House and 

the Hector Pieterson Memorial & 

Museum. 

DID YOU 

KNOW? 

SOWETO IS THE ONLY 

PLACE IN THE WORLD 

WHERE TWO NOBEL 

PEACE LAUREATES— 

NELSON MANDELA AND 

DESMOND TUTU—LIVED 

ON THE SAME STREET. 

Rickshaw, Marine Parade Promenade 

MOSES MABHIDA 

STADIUM 

The stadium is one of Durban’s most 

iconic landmarks, it hosted eight of 

the FIFA World Cup matches in 2010, 

holds 70 000 seats, and has the 

world’s highest commercial swing – 

the Big Rush Big Swing. 

USHAKA MARINE WORLD 

Boredom is not an option here. 

Visitors can watch dolphins at play, 

witness a shark feeding session, go 

for a dive in one of the tanks or take 

a wild ride down a water chute. 

VICTORIA PARK 

RICKSHAW RIDES 

This three-wheel, tuk-tuk type 

of transport is a great way to see 

Durban’s famed beachfront while 

appreciating the ornate headdresses 

of the rickshaw pullers. 

DURBAN BOTANIC GARDEN 

Africa’s oldest surviving green 

masterpiece, the Durban Botanic 

Garden is a luxuriant haven 

for orchids, palms, cycads, and 

many other beautiful examples of 

indigenous and exotic flora. 

VALLEY OF 1000 HILLS 

Unspoiled nature and wildlife, 

magnificent scenery, wining and 

dining, and warm country hospitality 

are just a half hour’s drive from the 

center of Durban, in the Valley of 

1000 Hills. 

UMHLANGA ROCKS AREA 

If you take an early morning 

stroll along the Umhlanga Rocks 

promenade, you may see dolphins 

surfing the waves just offshore. 

VICTORIA MARKET 

The Victoria Street Market displays 

Durban’s lively Indian soul through 

its wide range of fresh produce, 

crafts and fabrics – all conveniently 

housed under one roof in the heart 

of the city. 

SHAKALAND CULTURAL 

VILLAGE 

Feel the pulsating rhythm of 

mysterious and magical Africa 

as you relive the excitement and 

romance of the days of Shaka, 

King of the Zulus, in this authentic 

recreation of the Great Kraal 

overlooking the Phobane Lake. 

SOUTH 

ATLANTIC 

OCEAN 

3. 

VIBRANT 

DURBAN 

More than 

sun, sea and 

sand, Durban 

is a vibrant 

multicultural 

city that 

pulsates to its 

own drum. 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

DURBAN 

INDIAN 

OCEAN 

Shakaland Cultural Village 


A TASTE OF THE 

GOOD LIFE 

SOUTH AFRICA’S BRILLIANT WINES ARE 

FINDING THEIR WAY TO TABLES AROUND 

THE GLOBE – AND UNDER THE STARS. 

THE BEST WAY TO APPRECIATE THEM IS 

WITH SOUTH AFRICA’S WORLD-CLASS 

CUISINE, PREPARED BY SOME OF THE 

BEST CHEFS ON THE PLANET. 

Franschhoek, Cape Town

BUSTLING 

CITY LIFE 

Alfresco dining 

Curry served in a half bread loaf is known as a “bunny chow” 

FROM TRADITIONAL AFRICAN FARE TO THE 

MILD, SWEET CURRIES OF CAPE TOWN’S BO- 

KAAP DISTRICT, TO THE SUCCULENT SEARED 

KUDU SERVED AT A BRAAI (BARBECUE) IN A 

SAFARI LODGE’S BOMA (ENCLOSED OUTSIDE 

AREA), SOUTH AFRICA IS BRIMMING WITH 

CULINARY EXPERIENCES. 

In addition to homegrown talent, this gem 

of a country is also attracting top chefs from 

around the world, making it an exciting culinary 

destination. Choose from an array of restaurants 

in a variety of settings, including alfresco 

waterfront bistros; bucolic hideaways tucked 

into vineyards; sophisticated city restaurants; 

and out-of-Africa-style safari dining, complete 

with pressed white tablecloths and candles. In 

Hermanus, you can even enjoy fine dining in a 

cave with a lovely view of the ocean! 

ON THE MENU 

With Cape Town being recently voted the top 

food city in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, 

and food festivals and award-winning restaurants 

popping up throughout the country, you’ll 

find a host of culinary delights on your travels. 

Wherever you go, you’re sure to be offered some 

regional delicacy, and as South Africans like to 

say: “local is lekker” (local is nice). 

In addition to savory meat dishes made with 

beef, pork, lamb and chicken, there are also 

several varieties of game that you might want 

to try, including springbok (a type of venison), 

ostrich, and even warthog. Non-meat eaters 

shouldn’t despair: the fruit and vegetables grown 

in South Africa are of remarkable quality (try the 

world-renowned juices from areas such as Ceres, 

about 90 miles northeast of Cape Town) and the 

locally caught seafood is fantastic. 

A term you’ll hear often is “line fish”, which simply 

means the catch of the day, usually grilled and 

served with lemon wedges. Local line 

fish includes flaky-white, salt-water kingklip, saltwater 

snoek, satisfyingly oily butterfish, and even 

juicy barracuda, caught off South Africa’s eastern 

shores. Crayfish (clawless lobsters), Knysna 

oysters, and abalone are local delicacies as well. 

Maize, or corn, is a staple of traditional African 

cuisine and often makes its way to the table in 

one of two ways: roasted on the cob or ground 

into flour and cooked as pap (similar to polenta). 

Use the pap to dip into a traditional stew such 

as umngqusho, made of maize, beans, chilies 

and potatoes (and said to be a favorite of Nelson 

Mandela). Boerewors – or spiced sausages of 

beef or pork grilled together with sirloin and 

lamb chops – are a highlight of Afrikaans fare, 

and must-taste desserts include melktert (light 

custard in a pie shell) and koeksisters (fried 

doughnuts in syrup). 

WHET YOUR 

APPETITE 

READ UP ON SOUTH 

AFRICA’S DINING SCENE 

IN THESE TWO 

ONLINE GUIDES: 

WWW.EATOUT.CO.ZA 

WWW.RESTAURANTS.CO.ZA 


Braai (barbecue) is a big South African tradition

NAMIBIA 

SOUTH 

ATLANTIC 

OCEAN 

SOUTH AFRICA’S WINE REGIONS 

CAPE TOWN 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

OLIFANTS RIVER 

SWARTLAND 

DARLING 

TULBAGH 

TYGERBERG 

PAARL 

BREEDEKLOOF 

WORCESTER 

KLEIN KAROO 

CALITZDORP 

LANGEBERG-GARCIA 

CONSTANTIA 

STELLENBOSCH 

FRANSCHHOEK VALLEY 

ELGIN 

OVERBERG 

SWELLENDAM 

PLETTENBERG BAY 

CAPE POINT 

WALKER BAY 

CAPE AGULHAS 

CENTRAL ORANGE RIVER 

DINING 

DICTIONARY 

Here is a list of some 

of the vocabulary 

essential to the 

South African dining 

experience: 

BILTONG: 

Dried, cured meat 

BOBOTIE: 

A sweet curried ground meat 

dish of Cape Malay origin 

BOEREWORS: 

Sausages to be cooked 

on the braai 

BRAAI: 

Barbecue 

BREDIE: 

Slow-cooked stew 


A TOAST TO WINES AND 

WINELANDS 

South African wines are rightfully 

taking their place in international 

circles, winning competitions when 

blindly compared to the bestknown 

wines of the world. The 

country’s varietals include whites, 

such as Sauvignon Blanc and 

Chenin Blanc, and reds, including 

Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. 

Unique to South Africa is Pinotage, 

a cross between Pinot Noir and 

Cinsault (also known as Hermitage). 

More than a fifth of all South 

African vineyards are devoted to 

it. Many of the larger estates also 

have excellent restaurants, and 

enjoying a multi-course meal is a 

great way to learn about pairing 

foods and wines. 

INDIAN 

OCEAN 

In recent years, South Africa has 

been cited as home to the world’s 

“most beautiful wine country” in 

Food & Wine, Condé Nast Traveller 

and Occasions magazines, as well 

as by the American Institute for 

Foreign Study, among others. You 

can judge for yourself by touring 

one of 13 wine routes in the 

Western Cape, where you’ll find 

hundreds of estates that produce 

thousands of wines. Some visitors 

make a quick half-day trip from 

Cape Town, while others spend a 

week, writing tasting notes at the 

scores of vineyards and fine-dining 

establishments in the region (make 

sure to ask for a table with a view 

of the vineyard), and bedding 

down in memorable inns. 

PINOTAGE 

ORIGINS 

In 1925, a professor 

at the University 

of Stellenbosch 

crossed Pinot Noir 

with Hermitage 

(Cinsault) and 

Pinotage was 

born. This variety 

is unique to 

South Africa and 

is celebrated 

worldwide for its 

distinctively rich 

and spicy wines. 

More than a fifth of 

the South African 

red wine vineyards 

are dedicated to 

Pinotage. 

The Cape Winelands, Cape Town 

Try our South African bubbly 

FOLLOW THE WINE TRAIL 

YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WITH ANY OF SOUTH AFRICA’S 13 WINE 

ROUTES, BUT THESE FIVE RANK AMONG THE MOST POPULAR: 

1. Franschhoek 

About an hour outside of Cape 

Town, this scenic area has some 

20 wineries and is considered 

the gourmet capital of the 

Winelands. 

www.franschhoek.org.za 

2. Stellenbosch 

Only a 35-minute drive from 

Cape Town, this quaint, charming 

oak-tree lined town is known as 

the wine capital of South Africa, 

boasting nearly 100 wine estates. 

www.wineroute.co.za 

3. Paarl 

Home to Nederburg, one of 

the Cape’s best known wineries, 

Paarl also offers one of the 

most popular cellar tours in the 

winelands at KWV, whose 55-acre 

cellar is the largest in the world. 

www.paarlwine.co.za 

4. Wellington 

This wine route is small but 

popular because its cellars are 

easy driving distances from one 

another. 

www.wellington.co.za 

The Cape Winelands, 

fringed with mountains. 

5. Route 62 

This is the world’s longest wine 

route, with wine cellars and 

estates in Paarl, Wellington, 

Tulbagh, Worcester, Robertson, 

Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, 

Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn. 

www.route62.co.za 

BUNNY CHOW 

A Durban delicacy: hollowed-out 

bread filled with curry 

PAP: 

Maize-meal porridge, 

similar to polenta 

PEPPADEWS: 

Pickled sweet peppers, 

exclusively produced 

in South Africa 

PERI PERI: 

Spicy hot sauce originally 

brought by Portuguese traders 

PINOTAGE: 

South Africa’s signature wine, 

a blend of Pinot Noir and 

Cinsault varietal 

SOSATIES: 

Kebabs seasoned with Cape 

Malay spices 

UMNGQUSHO: 

Made of maize, beans, chilies 

and potatoes – like an 

African risotto 


Dining, Cape Town 

FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT 

WATCH THIS! 

SCAN TO WATCH 

CHEF REUBEN RIFFEL 

IN SOUTH AFRICA. 

Reuben Riffel, co-owner of the 

award-winning Reuben’s Restaurant, is the 

native sensation of Franschhoek, a 

picturesque town in the Cape Winelands. 

Dinner and entertainment 

Spices at Victoria Market, KwaZulu-Natal 

THE 

CHEF’S TOUR 

FOOD & WINE 

SHOWS 

IF YOU ARE TRULY A DEDICATED 

FOODIE, YOU CAN TIME YOUR 

VISIT TO COINCIDE WITH ONE OF 

THE THREE GOOD FOOD & WINE 

SHOWS HELD ANNUALLY IN CAPE 

TOWN (MID-MAY), DURBAN (LATE 

SEPTEMBER) AND GAUTENG 

(EARLY NOVEMBER). 

FOR INFORMATION AND 

REGISTRATION DETAILS, VISIT 

WWW.GOURMETSA.COM 

WWW.WOSA.CO.ZA 

I grew up just a stone’s throw away from 

the restaurant that today bears my name 

in the small village of Franschhoek. Blessed 

with hearty appetites, my family loved 

food – growing it, preparing it, and sharing 

it. My grandfather and father spent hours 

in the garden and we always had plenty of 

fresh fruits and vegetables on our table. My 

grandmother was the baker of the family. 

It was there in the family kitchen that I first 

fell in love with the tantalizing mix of culture 

and cuisine that makes food an integral part 

of South Africa’s identity. Today, I find great 

joy in sharing our culinary traditions with 

the rest of the world. 

Even the most experienced traveler will find 

South Africa a delicious revelation. I invite 

all serious “foodies” to discover our distinct 

tastes, fusion of cultures and the undeniable 

warmth of our people at one of our annual 

food and wine festivals. 

Since opening his restaurant in 2004, Reuben 

has been honored with numerous awards and 

published two books, Reuben Cooks: Food is 

Time Travel, which received Best Chef’s Book 

by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, 

and Reuben Cooks Local, which focuses on 

local produce and passionate food growers. 

He just launched his first urban restaurant at 

the One&Only Resort in Cape Town. 

ACCLAIMED CHEF REUBEN 

RIFFEL SHARES HIS 

IMPRESSIONS OF SOUTH 

AFRICA’S CULINARY SCENE 

Lunch with friends in the Winelands, Cape Town

BUSTLING 

CITY LIFE 

OTHER 

ATTRACTIONS 

FOR THE URBAN 

ENTHUSIASTS 

Relax in a world-class spa, roll the dice, visit one 

of South Africa’s art galleries and shop ’til you 

drop. In South Africa, it’s easy to take it easy. 

SPAS 

No matter where you choose to stay in South 

Africa – deep in the bush, in a bustling city, or 

at a beach resort – a relaxing and pampering 

spa experience is never far away. Many spas use 

local ingredients to create special “only-in-South 

Africa” treatments. To name a few: Cape Town’s 

The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is known for its 

unusual fynbos exfoliation; Camelot Spa at Table 

Bay Hotel, also in Cape Town, uses rooibos tea 

and local oils; and Fourdoun in KwaZulu-Natal 

offers a fusion of traditional medicine and 

contemporary wellness treatments under the 

guidance of a traditional Zulu healer. 

SHOPPING 

From world-class shopping malls in major cities 

to small craft markets in local villages, South 

Africa offers great value for your shopping dollar. 

Ndebele beaded belts and dolls, Zulu baskets 

woven from rainbow phone wire, and tables 

and chairs carved from yellowwood are among 

the locally-produced crafts that will “wow” your 

friends when you get home. For jewel lovers, 

Tanzanite, with its deep purple and azure colors, 

is the stone of choice. And don’t miss the locallyproduced 

gold, diamond, and platinum jewelry. 

Sandton City Mall, Eastgate Shopping Centre, 

the Gateway Theatre of Shopping and the V&A 

Waterfront are some of the best-known South 

African malls. Melrose Arch has a tree-lined mix 

of African and European shops while the African 

Craft Market, at the Rosebank Mall, is a great 

spot for African masks, clothing and other goods 

from South Africa and beyond. 

Shop in Sandton, Johannesburg 

A MINI ITINERARY 

DAY 1: 

Hang out at Clifton’s 4th Beach in 

Cape Town, the place to be seen 

in summer. 

DAY 2: 

Indulge in a locally-inspired spa 

treatment at Cape Town’s Camelot 

Spa at Table Bay Hotel. 

DAY 3: 

Play a round of golf at Royal Cape 

Golf Club, the 11-time host of the 

South African Open. 

ART 

Ever seen San rock art? The San Bushmen 

were the original inhabitants of South Africa, 

and left behind some 40 000 paintings in the 

uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountain Range, the 

largest collection of its kind in the world. You 

can view these magnificent works in situ, or in 

museums like Cape Town’s Iziko SA Museum 

and The McGregor Museum in Kimberley. South 

Africa’s rich artistic heritage spans thousands of 

years, from those first San paintings to colonialera 

paintings and contemporary crafts. Read: 

art-lovers are in for a real treat. 

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE 

COUNTRY’S GREATEST CREATIONS: 

• The South African National Art Gallery, 

part of Cape Town’s Iziko Museums, 

features impressive collections ranging 

from colonial to contemporary art. The 

main body of the colonial collection 

consists of Dutch, French and British works 

from the 17th to the 19th century; the 

contemporary collection has extensive 

catalogues of 1980s apartheid art, 

including repatriated artifacts that were 

removed from South Africa over the last 

200 years. 

• Known for its daring mix of unusual 

ceramic art techniques and its bold display 

of Zulu color and folklore, the Ardmore 

Ceramic Art Studio, in KwaZulu-Natal, 

is one of South Africa’s most celebrated 

ceramic art studios. 

• Stretching between the city of 

Pietermaritzburg and the uKhahlamba- 

Drakensberg Mountains, the 50-mile 

Midlands Meander is the largest art 

and craft tourism route in South Africa, 

and one of the most successful, with over 

215 businesses in the arts and crafts, 

hospitality, heritage and eco-tourism 

sectors. 

• The Newtown Cultural Precinct is the 

heart and soul of Johannesburg’s cultural 

landscape, and is packed with museums, 

art galleries, craft workshops, dance 

studios, live music venues, nightclubs, bars 

and restaurants. Among Newtown Cultural 

Precinct’s more famous landmarks are 

Museum Africa and the Market Theatre. 

High Tea at Westcliff Hotel, Johannesburg 

CASINOS 

Throughout South Africa you’ll find dozens of 

gambling palaces whose size and scale rival 

those in Europe and North America. Most are 

part of massive resorts with amenities that may 

lure you from the gaming tables, including 

ice-skating rinks and private game parks. Las 

Vegas-style amenities (think high-roller lounges, 

gourmet restaurants, decadent shops) are all 

available at South Africa’s casinos, too. 

Take in our local art scene 


Admire the local crafts

VIBRANT 

CULTURE 

Street markets 

Learn about Ndebele art 

Remembering our heroes at the Aparheid museum 

CONNECT WITH 

CULTURE 

THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH AFRICA 

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond 

Tutu, coined the term “Rainbow Nation” to capture 

the extraordinary diversity of races, tribes, creeds 

and landscapes that characterize the modern South 

Africa. Getting to know South Africa’s amazing people 

may be the most enduring memory of any visit. 

Join our traditional Rain Dance 

THE LOCAL LINGO 

SOUTH AFRICA HAS 11 

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES. 

English is the most widely used, and is 

spoken almost everywhere. And if you 

really want to feel at home, here’s how 

to say “hello” in the other ten languages: 

South African English: Howzit 

Sesotho: Dumela 

Sesotho sa Leboa/Pedi: Dumela 

Zulu: Sawubona 

Xhosa: Molo 

Ndebele: Lotjha 

Setswana: Dumela 

Afrikaans: Goeie Dag 

SiSwati: Sawubona 

Xitsonga: Avuxeni 

TshiVenda: Ndaa / Aa! 


Ancient rock art 


VIBRANT 

CULTURE 

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU 

COULDN’T HAVE PICKED A 

MORE FITTING NAME FOR HIS 

NATIVE COUNTRY. FROM THE 

NDEBELE IN MPUMALANGA 

AND THE LARGEST 

CONCENTRATED INDIAN 

POPULATION OUTSIDE INDIA 

IN DURBAN TO THE XHOSA 

IN THE EASTERN CAPE, THE 

“RAINBOW NATION” IS A RICH 

MULTICULTURAL MIX, 55.6 

MILLION STRONG. 

South Africa’s astounding diversity is rooted in 

its ancient past. Some of the earliest evidence 

of the emergence of the human species has 

been discovered here – artifacts dating back 

one-to-three million years – and for the past 

100 000 years, the region has been populated 

by Khoisan hunter-gatherers, or Bushmen. 

The Khoisan turned to pastoralism 

some 2000 years ago, acquiring 

livestock from Bantu-speaking 

people migrating southwards. 

In the east, Bantu tribes began 

migrating southwards while 

the Nguni (Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, 

Ndebele) occupied present-day 

KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern 

Cape; the Sotho and Tswana 

populated the central regions; and 

the Venda, Lemba and Shangaan- 

Tsonga remained in the north. 

After their arrival in 1647, the 

Dutch brought in slaves from the 

east and Madagascar, giving rise 

to the mixed-race of “coloured” 

people who are now the 

predominant racial group in the 

Western Cape and Northern Cape. 

Today’s Rainbow Nation is 

comprised of at least six major 

cultural and ethnic groups – Xhosa, 

Zulu, Afrikaans, Venda, Ndebele 

and Sesotho – and each will enrich 

your South Africa experience 

in their own way. So tour the 

townships, visit a cultural village, 

and be sure to talk to people 

wherever you go, as you’ll find 

South Africa’s culture alive and 

vibrant everywhere you look. 

PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE PAST 

South Africa’s varied museums are 

a good place to get a feel for the 

history of the country and learn 

Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Buildings, Pretoria 

more about what makes the people 

here so special. Here’s a sampling 

that highlights a few of the country’s 

many outstanding museums: 

• The Apartheid Museum gives 

visitors insight into the country’s 

turbulent past, and ultimately 

illustrates the triumph of the 

human spirit over adversity. A 

unique interactive system, where 

you can assume the identity of 

an individual who lived during 

the struggle, lends an emotional 

poignancy to a visit. 

• The District Six Museum 

in Cape Town is another 

stirring tribute to the past, a 

remembrance of the once vibrant 

mixed-race community of 60 000 

people, including many artists 

and musicians, forced to relocate 

during apartheid. Live music 

performances and first-hand 

narratives add to the affecting 

atmosphere. 

• Robben Island, the former 

prison where Nelson Mandela 

and other political prisoners were 

held during apartheid is easily 

reached by boat from the Victoria 

& Alfred Waterfront in Cape 

Town. It is, however, an emotional 

voyage to this UNESCO World 

Heritage site, and one you’ll find 

yourself remembering long after 

you return home. Former inmates 

of the notorious penal colony 

lead the guided tours and the 

entire island is a moving symbol 

of the inhumanity of apartheid 

and the great sacrifice made for 

freedom. Be sure to book your 

tickets in advance. 

• The Nelson Mandela Museum 

is located in Mandela’s birthplace 

of Umtata. Although the area is 

one of the poorest in the country, 

its residents are rich with pride for 

their native son. You’ll learn about 

Mandela’s life, from childhood to 

present, through powerful exhibits 

that explore his book, “Long Walk 

to Freedom.” Also on display is a 

collection of gifts that he received 

when he was head of state. 


Meet South Africa’s warm and friendly people 

CULTURAL 

ADD-ONS 

If you’d like to extend 

your cultural journey 

into other parts of 

South Africa, consider 

these options: 

• Explore the Xhosa origins of 

Nelson Mandela in the Eastern 

Cape villages of Qunu and 

Umtata. 

• Journey deep into Limpopo to 

the Modjadji Nature Reserve, 

near Tzaneen and visit the village 

of the Rain Queen. 

• Visit artistic Clarens and get a 

deeper understanding of what 

the real lifestyle of the South 

Sotho people is like in the 

Basotho Cultural Village. 

• Pay your respects to the King of 

the Zulus at the monument of 

Shaka Zulu in KwaZulu-Natal. 

• Enjoy the colorful paintings and 

beadwork of the Ndebele people 

with a visit to Botshabelo in the 

Mpumalanga province. 



VIBRANT 

CULTURE 

MOVE TO THE BEAT 

South Africa’s domestic music scene is as 

vibrant as ever, ranging from the distinctive 

kwela (pennywhistle) and kwaito (African pop) 

of the townships to the Afrikaners’ traditional 

boeremusiek and tiekiedraai to soul, jazz, and 

reggae. Hugh Masekela (trumpeter), Abdullah 

Ibrahim (jazz pianist and composer), and the 

late Miriam Makeba (songstress) are three 

of the best-known contemporary musicians. 

Classical music and ballet still draw enthusiastic 

audiences. 

THE MINI 

ITINERARY 

DAY 1: Learn about the great 

struggle against apartheid with 

a guided tour of Johannesburg’s 

legendary Soweto Township. 

LIVE AND ENERGETIC NIGHTLIFE 

If you’d like to experience some of the music of 

South Africa live and in person, there are many 

wonderful venues throughout the country, but 

a surefire destination is Joburg’s Newton Music 

Centre, where you’ll find the renowned Market 

Theatre as well as jazz clubs, dance clubs, and 

various other entertainment venues. For alfresco 

cafés and music scenes for the trendy, head to 

Melville. 

A bit more on the upscale side, Melrose Arch is 

home to various restaurants and sidewalk cafes. 

Sandton and Rosebank are also abuzz with 

fabulous nightspots and wine bars. 

FESTIVALS GALORE 

One of the best ways to get to know South 

African music is to head to one of the dozens of 

music festivals held throughout the year. Great 

listings of musical events in South Africa can be 

found at www.southafrica.net 

Here is a sampling: 

• The Cape Town International Jazz Festival 

is held in March or April, and features an 

all-star line-up that includes top international, 

African and South African performers. 

www.capetownjazzfest.com 

• Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, held 

every April in the town of Oudtshoorn in the 

Western Cape, celebrates Afrikaans music, 

culture and language. www.kknk.co.za 

• Joy of Jazz is hosted by Johannesburg every 

September. www.joyofjazz.co.za 

• Arts Alive is a September-long celebration of 

music, poetry, theatre, comedy and dance in 

Johannesburg. www.arts-alive.co.za 

• The National Arts Festival is the country’s 

largest cultural event and features everything 

from classical and jazz to avant-garde music. 

It’s held every June and July in Grahamstown, 

in the Eastern Cape. www.nafest.co.za 

Rural Town, KwaZulu-Natal 

SOUL-STIRRING SOWETO 

Just south of Johannesburg is Soweto, the largest 

township in South Africa. Soweto was home to 

Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 

and thousands of black South Africans whose 

struggles against apartheid captured the world’s 

attention. Guided tours are the best way to see 

this vibrant city within a city, and most tours 

include stops at the following: 

• Regina Mundi Church is renowned for 

defying the government during the township 

uprising and remaining open both for worship 

and political debate. 

• The Hector Pieterson Museum & Memorial 

stands as a tribute to the 1976 student uprisings. 

• Freedom Square is where the African 

National Congress (ANC) created the Freedom 

Charter. 

• The Mandela Family Museum, in Nelson 

Mandela’s former home on Vilakazi 

Street, houses an assortment of Mandela 

memorabilia. 

• Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s house (not 

open to the public) is also on Vilakazi Street, 

making it the only street in the world to have 

housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners. 

When on Vilakazi Street, you can sample 

traditional African food while seated at a shady 

trestle table on the grass at Sakhumzi’s, or savor 

ethnic dishes at Nambitha, with its exhibition 

of some classic photos from world-acclaimed 

photographers such as Peter Magubane 

and Jürgen Schadeberg. Or head over to 

Makhalemele Street for lunch at Wandie’s Place, 

one of Soweto’s most famous shebeens (taverns). 

THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE HUMAN RACE 

Just a 45-minute drive from Joburg is the Cradle 

of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage site 

that many people believe to be the birthplace of 

the human race. Here, at the Sterkfontein Caves, 

archaeologists discovered the nearly threemillion-year-old 

remains of a female skeleton 

known as “Mrs. Ples”. She is considered the 

first hard evidence of the connection between 

humans and apes. Also on display are artifacts 

and fossils dating back to the Stone Age that 

Constitution Court, Johannesburg 

were discovered in the caves and on the 

10 000-acre site that surrounds Sterkfontein. 

WAR AND REMEMBRANCE 

If you’re interested in historical tours and 

stories of epic battles, visit the Battlefields Route 

in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Here is where great 

Zulu warriors took on marauding Boer forces, 

and then battled the Brits, and finally, where the 

Boers and the British fought each other. Two 

of the most famous points on the route are 

Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana. Although there is 

a self-tour option, a good guide can bring the 

battlefields to life through stories 

and background details. 

In Cape Town, you’ll find the Castle of Good 

Hope, South Africa’s oldest Colonial building, 

which was originally established as a military 

fortification by the Dutch East India Company. 

Constructed between 1666 and 1679 in 

anticipation of an attack by British forces, it 

now houses the Castle Military Museum, and is 

the ceremonial facility for the traditional Cape 

Regiments. 

DAY 2: Take a day trip to the 

Cradle of Humankind World 

Heritage Site, 45 minutes away from 

Joburg, and cap off the evening back 

in town with a live music show at the 

Newtown Cultural Centre. 

DAY 3: Fly to Cape Town and 

explore historic destinations like 

the Great Synagogue (circa 1903) 

and the Castle of Good Hope. 

DAY 4: Take a 40-minute ferry 

ride to Robben Island, the former 

prison that held Nelson Mandela 

and other political prisoners during 

apartheid. 

Nelson Mandela Capture Site, KwaZulu-Natal 


SUN-SOAKED 

COASTLINES 

RELAX AND 

RECHARGE 

IN THE SOUTHERN SUN 

Soak up the sun on Cape Town’s beaches 

Cruise the Atlantic in style, Cape Town 


SUN-SOAKED 

COASTLINES 

NOTHING SAYS 

“VACATION” LIKE 

A FRIENDLY 

STRETCH OF A 

SUNDRENCHED 

BEACH. 

WITH NEARLY 1800 MILES OF 

COASTLINE, THERE’S VIRTUALLY A 

BEACH FOR EVERYONE IN SUNNY 

SOUTH AFRICA – INCLUDING 41 

THAT HAVE EARNED A BLUE FLAG 

STATUS, AN INTERNATIONAL 

AWARD GIVEN TO BEACHES 

THAT MEET STANDARDS OF 

EXCELLENCE IN SAFETY, 

AMENITIES, CLEANLINESS AND 

ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE. 

Penguins on Boulders Beach, Cape Town 

But it’s not just the beaches 

that “wow” at every turn; from 

the tropical East Coast all the 

way to the sun-scorched West 

Coast, there’s no shortage of 

sights and rich seaside life to 

match that sun-kissed tan. 

With the ocean as a backdrop, 

a day of whale watching or a 

cliff-top hike can end with a 

delicious beach braai, where 

freshly caught fish and lobster 

are prepared over a fire. 

The South African coast is also where you get 

Durban skyline 

to meet the amazing life of the ocean face to 

face. For something a little different, follow the 

footsteps of the friendly African penguins at 

our southernmost tip, swim with the dolphins 

in the Indian Ocean, see whales breaching 

in Hermanus, visit hippos, crocodiles and a 

wealth of bird life at iSimangaliso, South Africa’s 

biggest fresh water reserve or go shark-cage 

diving in Sodwana Bay, and see just how small 

you are next to a Great White. 

TOP BEACHES 

ROBBERG BEACH, PLETTENBERG BAY 

BLUE FLAG 

This is a firm Garden Route favorite for its 

breathtaking beauty. There are long scenic 

walks as well as great body boarding and 

surfing. Chances are you’ll spot a pod of whales 

or dolphins while you’re there. 

PATERNOSTER, WESTERN CAPE 

Just two hours up the west coast from Cape 

Town, this quaint beach village is the perfect 

escape from the bustle of Cape Town with its 

long, flat and uncrowded beach. 

BALLITO, KWAZULU-NATAL BLUE FLAG 

As part of the Dolphin Coast, this is where the 

international Mr Price Pro surf competition 

is held, thanks to its great surfing conditions. 

There is also safe swimming with life guards 

and shark nets, and Willard Beach has been 

awarded a Blue Flag status. 

SODWANA BAY, KWAZULU-NATAL 

If you’re looking for a more remote coastal 

experience, Sodwana’s wild sweeps of beach 

and balmy weather conditions are perfect. 

Next to it is the Zululand wilderness with the 

Big Five nearby. This is paradise for divers, 

fishermen and nature lovers alike. 

MUIZENBERG, CAPE TOWN BLUE FLAG 

This long, white sandy beach is popular among 

families and surfers with its gentle waves closer 

to the shore and bigger waves breaking much 

further out. This is also one of the best places 

in South Africa to learn how to surf. 

CLIFTON, CAPE TOWN BLUE FLAG 

This sheltered series of beaches provides a 

welcome retreat from the wind and is also a 

popular spot for sundowners throughout the 

year. A hotbed of bronzed sun worshippers, 

the beaches are flanked by some of the most 

sought-after real estate in South Africa. 

CAMPS BAY, CAPE TOWN BLUE FLAG 

This beach is where many of the glamorous 

end up for sundowners. With a soft sandy 

beach, and the Lion’s Head and the Twelve 

Apostles mountains behind it, this is a 

truly beautiful setting to immerse yourself 

in Cape Town. 

BOULDERS BEACH, CAPE TOWN 

Known for its charm, Boulders Beach boasts an 

impressive colony of African penguins. Nestled 

in False Bay and a stone’s throw away from 

Simon’s Town, the beach is made up of natural 

pools formed between the impressive boulders 

where the penguins make their nests. 

NOETZIE BEACH, WESTERN CAPE 

This remote golden beach has no through 

roads and is home to a collection of fairytalelike 

castles. Once you’ve made a short trek to 

get there you’ll be pleased you did – a beautiful 

sandy beach, with birdwatching, canoeing and 

hiking are not far away. 

DOLPHIN BEACH, JEFFREYS BAY BLUE FLAG 

Jeffreys Bay is a world-famous surf destination. 

While Super Tubes is the more popular surf 

spot, Dolphin Beach is perfect for a relaxed 

day in the surf and sand. It has been awarded 

a Blue Flag status for its water safety and 

environmental responsibility. 

NORTH BEACH, DURBAN 

This beach is one of the most popular 

beaches in Durban’s Golden Mile because 

there’s fun for the whole family. There’s 

swimming and sunbathing as well as surfing, 

body boarding and skateboarding, with a 

bustling promenade nearby. 

HOLE IN THE WALL, WILD COAST 

This is one of the gems of the Wild Coast 

and its name speaks just as much to the 

wave-eroded hole in its cliffs as it does to its 

remoteness. A favorite for both beach lovers 

and anglers, it is also one of the only places 

you’ll get to see cattle grazing on the beach. 

BRONZE BEACH, UMHLANGA 

Lined with a number of resort hotels and 

frequented by holidaymakers, Umhlanga’s 

sandy beaches provide a space to sun worship, 

bathe, surf or take a leisurely walk along 

the promenade. Bronze Beach is a favorite 

amongst both bathers and surfers. 

POPULAR 

COASTAL 

AREAS 

DURBAN: 

The city’s Golden Mile 

actually consists of three 

miles of warm India 

Ocean beaches. 

THE GARDEN 

ROUTE: 

Along this scenic byway, 

you’ll find many beautiful 

coves and scenic 

stretches of sand – not 

to mention dolphins and 

windsurfers too. 

PORT ELIZABETH: 

Favorite swimming 

spots along the gentle 

curves of Algoa Bay 

include Kings Beach and 

Humewood Beach. 

Beach volleyball, KwaZulu-Natal 


BREATHTAKING 

SCENERY 

GET READY 

TO BE ENTRANCED BY 

THE NATURAL SPLENDOR 

OF SOUTH AFRICA 

Sunset at water’s edge 

Phinda Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal 

SOUTH AFRICA IS A LAND OF BREATHTAKING 

NATURAL BEAUTY, WITH A VAST ARRAY 

OF SWEEPING LANDSCAPES, MAJESTIC 

MOUNTAINS, PASTORAL PANORAMAS AND 

MUCH MORE. THE SCOPE OF SUCH BEAUTY 

IS MATCHED ONLY BY YOUR IMAGINATION. 

Hike up Lion’s Head, Cape Town 

53 | SOUTHAFRICA.NET SOUTHAFRICA.NET | 54 

Amphitheatre, Drakensberg

BREATHTAKING 

SCENERY 

Overlooking Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga 

ROARING 

WATERFALLS, 

LUSH 

CANYONS, 

SOARING 

MOUNTAIN 

RANGES, 

AND GOLDEN 

BEACHES; 

IF YOU’VE 

DREAMED OF 

IT, CHANCES 

ARE YOU’LL 

FIND IT 

IN SOUTH 

AFRICA. 

From the country’s vast array 

of scenic attractions, we’ve 

spotlighted the top 10, each 

with its own array of sights and 

activities within. 

1. Table Mountain 

Cosmopolitan Cape Town is framed 

on one side by two oceans, and 

on the other by the majestic Table 

Mountain. You can hike to the 

top and follow more than a mile 

of paths past arresting flora (1500 

types of plants live here), rocky 

outcrops, and the mountain’s 

indigenous resident, the rock dassie, 

which looks like a small-eared 

rabbit, but is actually more closely 

related to the elephant. Not up for a 

hike? Take the exciting 360-degree 

rotating cable car trip to the top 

for awesome views of the Atlantic 

and Indian Oceans, the entire 

City Bowl and, on a clear day, the 

surrounding countryside. As you 

wander the mountain, you might 

meet various kinds of antelope and 

even a porcupine or two. Plus, Table 

Mountain is home to the rarest 

amphibian on earth, the ghost frog. 

Set against the eastern slopes of 

Table Mountain, the enchanting 

Kirstenbosch National Botanical 

Garden features two square miles 

of rare indigenous plant species, 

including South Africa’s beloved 

fynbos (indigenous shrubbery 

often used in spa treatments). The 

Garden is always lovely to visit, but is 

especially picturesque in the spring 

(September to November), when 

seasonal flowers are in bloom. 

www.sanbi.org 

www.tablemountain.net 

2. Cape Peninsula 

This is the most south-western 

point on the African continent, and 

just a short drive south of Cape 

Town. Laden with gorgeous vistas 

of mountains and ocean, the Cape 

Peninsula also offers unique wildlife 

viewing opportunities (don’t miss 

the land-based penguin colony 

at Boulders Beach). At the very 

tip lies Table Mountain National 

Park, whose rugged cliffs, steep 

slopes, and sandy flats are home to 

rich and diverse wildlife including 

baboons, zebras, antelopes, 

ostriches and a variety of other bird 

species. www.capepoint.co.za 

3. The Garden Route 

From whale watching to surfing, 

from hiking to cave exploring, the 

Garden Route, which extends from 

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, has 

something for everyone. One of the first major 

attractions you’ll pass as you drive east from 

Cape Town is Hermanus, a popular stop over for 

migrating Southern Right whales. Slightly north 

of Hermanus is Oudtshoorn, site of the Cango 

Caves. Dating back 15 000 years, these enormous 

underground passages harbor otherworldly 

stalactites and stalagmites. 

www.hermanus.co.za, www.ecotourism.co.za 

4. iSimangaliso Wetland Park 

If you’re looking for diverse natural experiences 

then the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a must visit 

while in South Africa. Enjoy the endless beaches 

that stretch 136 miles from Maphelane in the south 

to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border, and view 

game on guided or self-guided treks through the 

foothills of the Lubombo Mountains in uMkhuze 

or the coastal forests and rolling grasslands of Lake 

St Lucia’s Eastern Shores. See the spectacular coral 

reefs and colorful underwater life whilst diving or 

snorkeling, or embark on adventures ranging from 

kayak trips to horse rides. www.isimangaliso.com 

5. Namaqualand 

A vast semi-desert area north of the Olifants 

River, the Northern Cape’s Namaqualand literally 

springs to life with wildflowers – more than 

4000 species of them, some of which can’t be 

found anywhere else in the world – during the 

springtime (mainly in August and September). 

The stunning display doesn’t necessarily adhere 

to a scheduled start, but if you’re visiting South 

Africa during the season, you should be able to 

witness at least one act of one of nature’s greatest 

shows. www.northerncape.org.za 

www.namaqualand.com 

6. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg 

Mountains 

Located in the eastern coastal province of 

KwaZulu-Natal, this UNESCO World Heritage 

site is loaded with waterfalls, hiking trails, and 

mountain streams perfect for fly-fishing. The 

uKhahlamba, or “barrier of spears,” as the Zulu call 

them, also comprise one of the largest open-air 

galleries in the world, with more than 35 000 

images painted by the ancient San (also known as 

bushmen). KwaZulu-Natal is also renowned for its 

pristine waters. From the top of the Drakensberg 

Mountains to the crashing waves of the Indian 

Ocean, the land drops thousands of feet. The 

scenery is breathtaking, and the wildlife begs to 

be explored. www.drakensberg.org.za 

7. Panorama Route 

Due south of Limpopo, the province of 

Mpumalanga (which means “place where the 

sun rises”) is known as the home of Kruger 

National Park. But this astonishing scenic area 

boasts myriad natural wonders, including those 

of the Panorama Route – a series of stops among 

the hills and canyons in the area that afford 

spectacular views of pure nature. Blyde River 

Canyon might just be the most breathtaking, but 

other well-known spots on this route include the 

poetically named God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck 

Potholes, and the Three Rondavels. 

www.panorama-tours.travel/ 

8. Waterberg Mountains 

In the north eastern province of Limpopo, you 

can enjoy some of the best horseback riding 

trails in the country, especially in the Waterberg 

Mountains, which are aptly named for the prolific 

streams that flow even in dry seasons. This is 

also a premier wildlife area, with a sanctuary for 

rare and endangered animals including the Big 

Five. After a day of riding or exploring, unwind by 

soaking in the warm springs and staying overnight 

at one of several game lodges. 

www.golimpopo.com/waterberg 

9. The Otter Trail & Wild Coast 

Farther east along the coast, you’ll see the verdant 

stretches of the Tsitsikamma National Forest, the 

source of the Storms River. There are many ways 

to enjoy this pristine stretch of land, including 

a quick but informative trip to the main visitors 

center, but to truly immerse yourself in its natural 

wonder, set out on the Otter Trail, a guided, 

five-day backpacking trek along the rugged 

coastline. Some degree of fitness is required (you 

will cover about five to eight miles a day over 

rough terrain), and there are huts and a rest room 

at each overnight stop. The Otter Trail features 

three very distinct ecosystems: rocks, cliffs, and 

tide pools along the sea; wet jungle in the valleys; 

and dry bush on the bluffs. A less rigorous option 

is the two-day Dolphin Trail, which offers the 

comfort of overnight accommodation and no 

heavy backpacks. www.sanparks.org, 

www.dolphintrail.co.za 

10. Magaliesberg Mountains 

Among the oldest mountain ranges in the world, 

are the lush Magaliesberg Mountains in Gauteng. 

The mountain range is only a 90-minute drive 

north west of Johannesburg, but a world apart 

from urban life. It’s a wonderful place to relax 

and unwind, surrounded by awesome natural 

beauty. There are crystal-clear streams, hiking 

trails, horseback riding trails, luxury spas, and hot 

air balloons. In addition to the abundant natural 

wonders of the area, there are myriad artists’ 

studios and shops, which dot the mountain roads. 

www.magaliesberg.co.za 

Bloubergstrand, 

Cape Town 

Amphitheatre, Drakensberg 

DID YOU 

KNOW? 

THE DRAKENSBERG 

MOUNTAINS 

CREATE WHAT MAY 

BE THE LARGEST 

WATER FACTORY 

IN AFRICA; THEIR 

SOARING PEAKS 

INTERCEPT CLOUDS 

FROM THE INDIAN 

OCEAN AND 

FUNNEL RAIN INTO 

RIVERS BELOW. 


BREATHTAKING 

SCENERY 

A WORLD OF 

ROMANCE 

IF YOU’RE LIKE MOST NEWLYWEDS 

TO BE, YOU’LL SPEND THREE TIMES 

AS MUCH ON YOUR HONEYMOON 

AS A REGULAR VACATION. BUT 

EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST LOOKING 

FOR A FANTASTIC COUPLE’S 

GETAWAY, SOUTH AFRICA DELIVERS 

BANG FOR THE BUCK – AND 

UNSURPASSED ROMANTIC ALLURE. 

A romantic afternoon massage in Franschhoek, Cape Town 

SAYING “I DO” IN 

SOUTH AFRICA 

THE SEARCH FOR 

A BREATHTAKING 

WEDDING DESTINATION 

ENDS HERE. 

South Africa offers a 

stunning backdrop for 

weddings of all kinds, 

and there are many 

tour operators who can 

assist you in making 

your special day even 

more spectacular. 

Love is in the air 

You’d be hard pressed to find a more 

memorable, or exhilarating place to celebrate 

your relationship. Here are the top 10 reasons 

why South Africa is the ultimate romantic escape: 

1 

Want beaches? In Cape Town you can swim 

in one ocean on one day and a different one 

the next. Durban is another beach hotspot, 

with three miles of inviting sand in its famous 

“Golden Mile”. 

2 

You can give your loved one the world’s largest 

uncut diamond (well, a good long look at it, 

anyway) at the Kimberley Mine Museum. A 

stop on the romantic Blue Train route, the city 

of Kimberley also has other museums and art 

galleries to browse through hand-in-hand. 

3 

Enjoy a romantic alfresco dinner at Cape Town’s 

scenic V&A Waterfront, with magnificent Table 

Mountain as a backdrop. 

4 

You can have a June wedding and still go skiing 

on your honeymoon. That’s right, the seasons 

are reversed in South Africa, and Tiffindell’s 

on-slope and Après-ski facilities rival those of 

leading U.S. and European resorts. 

5 

You can spend the morning tracking exotic 

animals through landscapes far removed from 

civilization, the afternoon enjoying a highlycivilized 

spa session, and the evening dining 

on fine cuisine under a panorama of southern 

hemisphere stars. How’s that for a date? 

6 

There’s a reason The Bachelor was filmed in 

South Africa – it’s the perfect staging ground 

for an unforgettable date, or ten. From safari 

game drives to heart-pounding cage dives 

with Great Whites to a scenic helicopter tour 

of Blyde River Canyon, the opportunities for 

unique two-person escapades are endless. 

7 

Ready for a night on the town? From the 

dance clubs of Newtown to the casinos and 

entertainment venues of Sun City, South Africa 

has everything a pair of night owls could ask for. 

8 

For those couples seeking an even deeper and 

more memorable experience, stirring cultural 

sightseeing opportunities abound. 

9 

Small towns such as Stellenbosch, Paarl and 

Franschhoek along the Cape’s famous Wine 

Route offer romantic vistas, outstanding cuisine 

and, of course, world-class wines for toasting 

your life together. 

10 

Maybe oysters are an aphrodisiac, maybe they 

aren’t! Regardless, couples will be enchanted 

by Knysna, one of the Western Cape’s bestknown 

holiday destinations. Succulent oysters 

are always on the menu here, and an annual 

Oyster Festival comes through town in July. 

LGBT TRAVEL IN SOUTH AFRICA 

South Africa is a liberal country 

with a progressive constitution, 

where LGBT travelers are more 

than welcome. 

A number of tour operators – many 

of them affiliated with IGLTA 

(International Gay and Lesbian 

Travel Association) – are available for 

custom itineraries, from adventure 

and luxury romance to safari. Cape 

Town, dubbed the “LGBT capital of 

Africa,” is a favored destination, with 

its proximity to the Winelands region, 

iconic tourist attractions, vibrant 

nightlife and a thriving LGBT scene. 

THE MINI ITINERARY 

DAY 1: Board the Cape Town-bound 

Blue Train in Pretoria, an hour north of 

Johannesburg, and stop to check out the 

world’s largest uncut diamond, at the 

Kimberley Mine Museum. 

DAY 2: Arrive in Cape Town midday, 

and unwind with a spa treatment at 

The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa. 

DAY 3: Drive to Franschhoek, an hour 

outside of Cape Town, and choose from 

20 wineries to toast your relationship. 

HOT DEALS 

Keep an eye out for discounted 

romance and honeymoon packages at 

www.southafrica.net/deals 


Sleep under the stars

BUFFELS 

EXPERT 

INTINERARIES 

ITINERARY 1 

PLANNING THE JOURNEY 

YOU’VE SEEN WHAT SOUTH AFRICA HAS TO 

OFFER. NOW PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER 

AND CREATE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME. 

Here are three suggested itineraries for your South Africa vacation. 

Each is planned around a special interest theme, and takes two weeks 

or less. But you should add or subtract your own excursions from 

all three (adventurers will probably want to visit Kruger National 

Park, for instance). All trips originate in Johannesburg, the country’s 

international air gateway. 

SPRINGBOK 

UPINGTON 

KIMBERLEY 

ITINERARY 3 

CULTURAL 

CONNECTIONS 

BLOEMFONTEIN 

ALIWAL NORTH 

CROCODILE RIVER 

RUSTENBURG 

MATLABAS RIVER 

PRETORIA 

JOHANNESBURG 

UMTATA 

POLOKWANE 

HARRISMITH 

PIETERMARITZBURG 

NELSPRUIT 

PORT SHEPSTONE 

ITINERARY 1 

CLASSIC 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

ITINERARY 2 

OPERATION 

ADVENTURE 

DURBAN 

RICHARD’S BAY 

JOHANNESBURG – TWO NIGHTS 

Arrive in Joburg and spend the first two nights 

in a luxurious boutique hotel in the Rosebank or 

Sandton neighborhood, where gourmet meals 

and a pampering spa will banish your jet lag. 

From here, you can explore the region’s rich 

cultural offerings. 

Take a guided tour of the historic township 

of Soweto, where you can see the home of 

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the former home 

of Nelson Mandela; visit the Apartheid Museum; 

or take in Gold Reef City. You can also indulge 

in some shopping (check out the boutiques 

and high-end malls of Sandton or Melrose 

Arch, among others) or venture to Sun City, the 

amazing mecca of entertainment and casinos, 

just two hours away. 

MPUMALANGA – THREE NIGHTS 

Take a short flight to Kruger National Park in 

Mpumalanga. The small opulent lodges are so 

close to the wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, 

leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), that you’ll 

be able to snap close-ups without a telephoto 

lens. Not only is the wildlife viewing some 

of the best in the world, but you can expect 

unforgettable staff and service. Great meals are 

prepared by trained chefs and accompanied by 

fine local wines, right in the middle of the bush. 

Dining under the stars amid the sounds of the 

wild is an unparalleled experience. Most luxury 

safari lodges also have spas on the premises. 

GREATER CAPE TOWN – FOUR NIGHTS 

The next stop, via air, is cosmopolitan Cape 

Town. Hop on the ferry to Robben Island for 

an emotional visit to the former prison where 

Nelson Mandela was held for two decades. 

Then return to the pleasures of the Waterfront 

where you can enjoy local performers, shop 

at the Victoria and Alfred Mall, and eat at top 

restaurants. 

at Twelve Apostles Hotel and Wellness Centre, 

or soak up some sun on the beach at Camp’s Bay 

and stay for sundowners (cocktails) at sunset. You 

can also dedicate a day to exploring the natural 

beauty of Cape Point. Stop at Boulders Beach 

along the way to see the penguin colony. 

At Cape Point, you can spot baboons, zebra 

and antelope from your vehicle window, and 

then stand overlooking the most southwestern 

tip of Africa. 

Just beyond Cape Town, the spectacular 

Winelands await. Paarl, Stellenbosch, or 

Franschhoek are good destinations to explore 

on your final day – rent a car or hire a driver 

and prepare to be dazzled. Some of the best 

wines in the world are produced in the most 

beautiful vineyards here. Wine tasting is just one 

of the activities available; there’s also gourmet 

dining, golf, spas, and historic French and Dutch 

architecture. 

GRAND FINALE – TWO TO THREE NIGHTS 

Wrap up your South Africa adventure on a high 

note, or three. Here are a few of the many ways 

you can enjoy your last days in paradise: 

• Travel the Garden Route from Cape Town to 

Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. 

• Visit Durban in KwaZulu-Natal to experience 

both Zulu and Indian culture. 

• Travel by train between Cape Town and 

Joburg, stopping in historic Kimberley along 

the way. 

1 

CLASSIC 

SOUTH AFRICA 

Plush hotels, 

scenic beaches, 

soothing spas 

– and one fine 

safari. 

ANGOLA 

SOUTH 

ATLANTIC 

OCEAN 

NAMIBIA 

ROBBEN 

ISLAND 

CAPE TOWN 

CAPE POINT 

HERMANUS 

KGALAGADI 

TRANSFRONTIER 

PARK 

UPINGTON 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

WINELANDS OUDTSHOORN 

PAARL GARDEN 

ROUTE 

PLETTENBERG 

BAY 

BOTSWANA 

SOWETO 

TSITSIKAMMA 

NATIONAL 

FOREST 

PRETORIA 

LESOTHO 

PORT 

ELIZABETH 

ZIMBABWE 

KRUGER 

NATIONAL 

PARK 

JOHANNESBURG 

SWAZILAND 

HLUHLUWE- 

UMFOLOZI 

GAME RESERVE 

DURBAN 

INDIAN OCEAN 

MOZAMBIQUE 

Map: Joni Danaher 

CLANWILLIAM 

CAPE TOWN 

Stellenbosch 

Somerset West 

HERMANUS 

Robertson 

DWYKA 

BEAUFORT WEST 

LEEUW 

GAMKA 

OUDTSHOORN 

GEORGE 

KNYSNA 

MOSSEL BAY 

GRAAFF REINET 

St Francis Bay 

Jeffreys 

Bay 


EAST LONDON 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

AFRICA 

The next day, take the rotating cable car to the 

top of Table Mountain; the entire city is laid out 

at your feet. Descend and drive to the lovely 

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Stop 

for lunch at one of the small wine estates in 

Constantia, where lush vineyards evoke the 

south of France. In the afternoon, enjoy the spa 

Big Five game spotting 


ITINERARY 2 

2 

ITINERARY 3 

3 

OPERATION 

ADVENTURE 

South Africa as 

wild as you want it 

to be. 

Bush walk, Kruger National Park 

CULTURAL 

CONNECTIONS 

For lovers of 

history and the 

arts. 

ANGOLA 

SOUTH 

ATLANTIC 

OCEAN 

NAMIBIA 

ROBBEN 

ISLAND 

CAPE TOWN 

CAPE POINT 

HERMANUS 

KGALAGADI 

TRANSFRONTIER 

PARK 

WINELANDS 

GARDEN 

PAARL ROUTE 

Kalahari dreaming 

UPINGTON 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

OUDTSHOORN 

PLETTENBERG 

BAY 

BOTSWANA 

SOWETO 

TSITSIKAMMA 

NATIONAL 

FOREST 

PRETORIA 

LESOTHO 

PORT 

ELIZABETH 

ZIMBABWE 

KRUGER 

NATIONAL 

PARK 

JOHANNESBURG 

SWAZILAND 

HLUHLUWE- 

UMFOLOZI 

GAME RESERVE 

DURBAN 

INDIAN OCEAN 

MOZAMBIQUE 

DURBAN AND UP THE 

NORTH COAST – THREE 

NIGHTS 

After a short layover in Joburg, 

start your journey in the 

country’s third largest city, the 

port town of Durban. Beach 

lovers head there in droves just 

to lounge on Durban’s Golden 

Mile, but there’s also great 

surfing and kayaking on the 

mild Indian Ocean waters. 

For an unprecedented wildlife 

encounter, book a walking 

safari on Umfolozi wilderness 

hiking trails in the Hluhluwe- 

Umfolozi Game Reserve, where 

you’ll have a chance to come 

face to face with the Big Five. 

Since no vehicles are allowed 

in this section of the park, you’ll 

experience some of the most 

pristine bush in the world. 

These are some of the best 

walking safaris in all of Africa. 

GARDEN ROUTE – THREE 

NIGHTS 

A short flight from Durban to 

Port Elizabeth takes you to the 

scenic Garden Route, which 

winds along the coast towards 

Cape Town. Drive at your own 

pace and stop often. Surfers 

will want to check out Jeffreys 

Bay or head to Cape St. Francis, 

the setting for the cult film 

Endless Summer. 

Tsitsikamma National Park 

and the mouth of the Storms 

River comprise impressive 

virgin forests, even though it’s 

surprisingly close to towns 

such as Plettenberg Bay, whose 

luxury lodgings overlook 

sparkling Indian Ocean waters, 

and Knysna, where the local 

oysters are a must. Day walking 

trails are easily traversed, but 

one of the best ways to see the 

coastal pools, gorges, forests, 

and empty beaches is to choose 

one of the overnight hiking 

trails: either the five-night Otter 

Trail backpacking excursion 

or the less strenuous threenight 

Dolphin Trail. If you’re 

just looking for an adrenaline 

rush, skip the hike and take a 

591-foot bungee jump from the 

Bloukrans Bridge. 

Continuing to the west, visit an 

ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, 

where you can ride one of 

the great birds or watch local 

jockeys race. Still farther west is 

Hermanus, the whale-watching 

capital of the world. Even if 

you miss prime calving season, 

August through September, 

you’ll see whales as well as 

dolphins frolicking off the 

shores. At nearby Dyer Island, 

the specialty is Great White 

shark diving: You’re lowered into 

the water in a cage while the 

waters are filled with bait to lure 

the sharks. It’s an exhilarating 

experience you’ll be telling 

friends about for years to come. 

CAPE TOWN – THREE 

NIGHTS 

If you believe that the harder 

the trip the greater the reward, 

skip the cable car and explore 

the rocky slopes of Table 

Mountain by foot. Hiking 

straight to the top takes about 

two hours, or you can try 

one of the overnight hiking 

and camping options to truly 

experience the mountain. 

Other activities include bicycle 

trips to Cape Point and a 

variety of water sports along 

the city’s many beaches. 

KALAHARI – THREE NIGHTS 

Fly from Cape Town to 

Upington, the jumping 

off point to the Kalahari’s 

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, 

one of the largest remaining 

protected natural ecosystems 

in the world. Safari drives here 

will introduce you to the exotic 

wildlife that thrives in this 

arid climate. In addition, the 

Kalahari is also home to the 

last remaining San (bushmen) 

and their rich heritage of cave 

paintings and rock carvings. 


JOHANNESBURG – FOUR NIGHTS 

Begin your trip with a visit to the Apartheid 

Museum and Museum Africa. Then take a 

tour of Soweto to see Freedom Square and 

other memorials and buildings that symbolize 

the struggle against apartheid. Take a break 

at one of Soweto’s restaurants and enjoy an 

authentic South African meal. For a look at 

Joburg’s history as a gold mining town, visit 

Gold Reef City. A 45-minute excursion from 

Joburg takes you to one of the most prized 

archaeological finds in history: Sterkfontein 

Caves, aka “The Cradle of Humankind.” The 

three-million-year-old remains of a female 

skeleton known as “Mrs. Ples” were discovered 

here, and she’s considered to be concrete 

evidence of the connection between humans 

and apes. On your way back to Joburg, stop off 

at Lesedi Cultural Village. 

Pretoria, South Africa’s executive capital, is 

another easy day trip. Visit the massive granite 

Voortrekker Monument, the Paul Kruger House, 

and the Union Buildings where the inauguration 

of Nelson Mandela was held—and where the 

current president now works. You can also get 

the best views of the city from here. About 30 

minutes north of the city is the fully-operational 

Cullinan Diamond Mine. A guided tour will take 

you through the diamond mining process. 

CAPE TOWN – THREE NIGHTS 

Several spots in Cape Town illuminate the 

political history of the country. The former 

prison at Robben Island is a moving testament 

to the strength of the human spirit, and the 

District Six Museum is another poignant tribute 

to the past. 

Other history-filled destinations in this beautiful 

city include the Great Synagogue and Jewish 

Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, the Bo- 

Kaap Museum (a tribute to the Malay and 

Muslim population), and the South African 

National Gallery, which showcases art that tells 

the story of the country. Be sure to have dinner 

at Mama Africa, Africa Café or Marco’s African 

Cafe, among others, to sample dishes that 

reflect the melting pot that is South Africa. 

ANGOLA 

SOUTH 

ATLANTIC 

OCEAN 

NAMIBIA 

ROBBEN 

ISLAND 

CAPE TOWN 

CAPE POINT 

HERMANUS 

PAARL 

WINELANDS 

KGALAGADI 

TRANSFRONTIER 

PARK 

UPINGTON 

GARDEN 

ROUTE 

SOUTH 

AFRICA 

OUDTSHOORN 

PLETTENBERG 

BAY 

Master craftsmanship 

BOTSWANA 

SOWETO 

TSITSIKAMMA 

NATIONAL 

FOREST 

PRETORIA 

LESOTHO 

PORT 

ELIZABETH 

ZIMBABWE 

KRUGER 

NATIONAL 

PARK 

JOHANNESBURG 

SWAZILAND 

HLUHLUWE- 

UMFOLOZI 

GAME RESERVE 

DURBAN 

INDIAN OCEAN 

MOZAMBIQUE

SCAN THIS! 

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SMARTPHONE TO 

GET THE BEST LAST- 

MINUTE TRAVEL 

DEALS. 

VisitSouthAfrica 

VisitSouthAfricaNA 

@VisitSouthAfrica 

@SouthAfrica 

#MeetSouthAfrica 

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM 

500 5TH AVENUE, SUITE 2200, NEW YORK, NY 10110 

EMAIL: INFO.US@SOUTHAFRICA.NET 

INFORMATION: 800-593-1318 

Inspiring new ways 

www.southafrica.net

USA Consumer Brochure

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